Wayne Township breaks ground for fire station addition

Firefighters, township officials and community members alike gathered recently at the Wayne Township Fire Department to celebrate a groundbreaking for an addition to the fire department located in Dundee. The ceremony was held Aug. 20.

“This is an important and exciting day, as we break ground for our addition here for the station, we're doing way more than just a construction project. We're strengthening what we call the safety net of our community, both for businesses, families and our future,” Fire Chief Joshua Yoder said.

Yoder recognized the volunteers, both fire and EMS, for being the heart of the station.

“Whenever the tones drop, I just want to say thank you for each of you that are volunteering, showing up when what matters most is on the line. That embodies who we are as Wayne Township Fire Department,” Yoder said.

The new addition will measure 80’ long by 36’ wide and include two bays. The project will cost about $390,000 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Funding for the project was put together from Cares Act money, local tax funding and contributions from the community from the annual Fireman’s Festival and other fundraisers.

Yoder expressed the importance of mutual aid with other departments in the area.

“When there's a big fire or call, the boundaries don't matter, but what matters is that people get the care they need, or the fire is extinguished, that is what matters,” Yoder said.

Elder Mark Schwartz of Barrs Mill Church of God also spoke at the groundbreaking and offered a pray.

The new addition was designed so everyone can respond better. Currently, one of the emergency vehicles is stored at the township garage and not with the other vehicles at the fire station.

Many hours of work on the part of Wayne Township officials went into planning for the project. Building partners for the project include Tekton Engineering who developed the site plan, J. Miller & Son Excavating, and Classical Construction LLC.

The Wayne Township Fire Department is located at 7899 Cherry Run Road, NW in Dundee. The department hosts several activities each year for the community including the annual pancake breakfast, Memorial Day parade, and Dundee Fireman’s Festival.

By upgrading the station, the area will be a stronger and safer community. Yoder is thankful to the community for their loyalty and support.

“It is because of them that we can even proceed today, and I never want to forget that. That’s why we're here,” Yoder said.

 The new addition is a commitment to the first responders to help people in need.

“We're ready to respond. We're ready to face the challenges,” Yoder said. “We are ready to give back to them, and I feel this project is going to enable us to do that.”

The new addition will help the department help their neighboring departments when needed too.

“As we shovel the dirt, we can visualize turning a page in in our community, turning a new page, we are building for tomorrow and to help others in putting safety first and also community first,” Yoder said.

Theresa Landis, owner of the nearby Dundee Grill, shared her family’s involvement with the fire department over the years and the sense of community it fostered.

“The fire department was family. It was your community,” Landis said while adding how much the new project is welcomed. “It's very exciting because it shows growth; growth in our community and the structure that we really need.”

For more information about the department visit their website at waynetownshipfire.org or on Facebook at Wayne Township Fire Department.

The Wayne Township Fire Department currently has about 18 members and responds to approximately 150 to 180 calls each year.