Oldest South Bend fire station to be remodeled, improve safety

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- The oldest fire station in South Bend will finally see a much-needed makeover. 

“It’s really outdated and really not sustainable or compatible for our men and women firefighters,” explains Carl Buchanon, Fire Chief for the South Bend Fire Department. 

Fire Station 8 on South Bend’s southeast side, built 66 years ago, was meant to house just three male firefighters at a time. 

“We’ve progressed, thankfully, and we’ve gotten to where we’ve got men and women on this fire department,” Chief Buchanon says. “We want to make sure we’re looking out for everyone’s benefit.” 

Not only is the three-room house crammed, but its size is also putting the firefighter's health at risk. 

“Making sure that they don’t have to worry about the off-gases or any type of fumes mitigating into their living quarters,” says Chief Buchanon. 

He explains that with the living quarters sitting directly next to the bay where the engine and equipment are kept, the firefighters are taking in those harmful fumes with them inside the house, where they sleep and eat. 

Those harmful chemicals, like PFAS, are linked to cancer which has taken the lives of too many firefighters too soon; like Chief Buchanon’s fired who just passed away on Tuesday, Goshen’s Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Nethercutt. 

“Another case of someone that didn’t get a chance to enjoy the benefits of their labor,” Chief Buchanon says. “We want our firefighters to be able to put in their time and hopefully retire and do whatever else they want to do with their life.” 

While the new firehouse will be safer for the wellbeing of its firefighters, it will also complement the surrounding neighborhood of Twyckenham Hills, and keep the tradition of being a place that not only serves its residents but treats them like family. 

“We didn’t want to construct something that was going to necessarily stand out and stick out in a negative way,” explains Chief Buchanon. “Coming here, and the firefighters you know being kind and courteous, and you know treating them like family.” 

In a year and a half’s time, the newly remodeled Fire Station 8 will be ensuring the safety of its firefighters, which in turn, keeps the community safe. 

“I can’t wait till we demolish it and build it back up, because I know it’s going to be even bigger and better,” Chief Buchanon says. 

Construction on the new station will begin this fall with a completion date expected in the fall of 2024. Chief Buchanon reassures that response times won’t be affected too much during construction, as there are about three nearby stations that can cover the neighborhood if needed.