New fire station opens in Fredericksburg

A new South Central Fire District station officially opened in Fredericksburg recently during a community dedication ceremony that highlighted firefighter safety, regional cooperation and a project completed entirely without taxpayer funding.

Local officials, firefighters, residents and donors gathered to celebrate the opening of the $3.2 million facility, which fire officials said was fully funded through donations, fundraising efforts, donated labor and community support.

The project began nearly six years ago after fire district leaders determined the previous station no longer met operational or safety needs. Officials said early discussions focused on renovating or expanding the former building, but leaders ultimately decided a larger, long-term solution was necessary.

Fire district representatives said the former station lacked adequate space for equipment, firefighter work areas, medical storage and administrative functions as emergency call volume increased.

Wayne County Commissioner Jonathan Hofstetter said the new station was designed to provide a clean, safe and highly functional environment for those who serve and protect.

“We, as Wayne County commissioners, are here to say ‘wow’ to a community that really stepped up to the plate,” Hofstetter said during the ceremony. “This whole community has rallied together and said that this is the need.”

Hofstetter said the fire district serves multiple jurisdictions, including Fredericksburg, Franklin Township, Salt Creek Township and portions of Holmes County, and he described the station as the result of a regional partnership focused on public safety.

State Rep. Meredith Craig emphasized the significance of completing the project without public tax funding.

“What makes today especially remarkable is that the station was built entirely through community support and donations without a single taxpayer dollar,” Craig said. “That is something everyone involved should be absolutely, incredibly proud of.”

Fire Chief Josh Martell said firefighter safety and operational readiness were central priorities in the station’s design. He described the building as a facility intended to improve response efficiency while providing firefighters with adequate work areas, storage, training space and modern operational capabilities.

“We designed the facility with the primary objective of ensuring the safety and cleanliness of our personnel," Martell said. "All our fire gear, particularly items that are contaminated, is designated to one side of the station. Conversely, the administrative area is maintained to be free from dirt and carcinogens. Our aim is to keep any hazardous materials separate from our daily operations. As firefighters, we are inherently exposed to various carcinogens and smoke that the public typically does not encounter. Therefore, we approached this project with safety as a fundamental priority, and we are optimistic that these measures will continue to evolve in the years ahead.”

The district became fully operational in the new facility in March after the equipment was transferred from the former station.

Learn more about the South Central Fire District at www.facebook.com/fredericksburgohiofire.

Dan Starcher is the communications coordinator for Wayne County.