The new Little Meadows Volunteer Fire Co. and Rescue Squad building replaced the old 60-year-old fire hall. The public was invited to tour the new facility at an open house and dedication ceremony held Sunday, May 1. STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON
Little Meadows Volunteer Fire Company led a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue on Sunday, May 1, that culminated with a celebration at the new fire station and community hall.
Nearby fire companies and ambulance services joined the parade, with church, community groups and businesses represented with floats and marchers for the grand opening of the hall.
Representatives from Talisman Energy USA, owned by Repsol, served as the grand marshals. The company donated $350,000 to the building fund.
“We are so happy to be part of building this station, and this event,” said Amy Gilbert, a Talisman Energy USA/Repsol employee who also served on the volunteer organization’s Building Committee. “We believe in supporting projects that are important to the communities where we operate, and we welcome the opportunity to give back to the fire company and rescue squad, which serve such critical roles here.”
The remainder of the $875,000 project came from department and rescue squad funds, as well as natural gas impact fees given by local municipalities, donations from local businesses and community members, and a bank loan.
“This station will be a centerpiece for our community, giving back to those who help build it and who volunteer their time to serve others,” said Chuck Darrow, Rescue Squad president. “We want this community to be proud of what they built, and to use it.”
The need for a new station was obvious, since the former, 60-year-old building was not serving the public as well as it could. It had several issues, including insufficient space for the organization’s equipment, no parking for volunteers who attended training, energy inefficiency, and not being fully accessible to those with disabilities.
“During the flood in 2011, many people had to leave their homes due to rising water, and we were unable to provide adequate shelter to those who couldn’t climb the old station’s stairs,” said Mary Shaughnessy, fire company president. “That is not the way we want to operate. We now can offer full access to all our neighbors, including in times of crisis.”
The celebration included a ribbon cutting, the dedication of flag pole in honor of former Fire Chief Chip Barnum – Shaughnessy’s nephew — who passed away 2014, and the unveiling of a Repsol plaque recognizing that company’s and the community’s role in building the station.
In addition to the Barnum family, some of the original, founding members of the Fire Company and Rescue Squad participated in the dedication.
The building was constructed by JAH Construction, Inc. of Johnson City, NY. Citizens & Northern Bank’s Sayre branch provided a loan to support the construction.
The organization is still seeking donations.
Donations may be made payable to LMVFC&RS Building Fund and sent to the Little Meadows Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Squad, PO Box 329, Little Meadows, PA 18830-0345.
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