Paris Fire and Rescue and town officials presented a look at plans for an expanded and renovated fire station at an open house Wednesday.
The changes to the fire station would address realities of the current department not met by the present facility, including dedicated living quarters and proper handling of turnout gear.
“This building was originally built to house a strictly volunteer fire department,” said town Chairman John Holloway. As the now fully paramedic department has transitioned to paid personnel living in the building during their shifts, workarounds like partitioned sleeping spaces in an open room have been used. The current facility also does not a a dedicated cooking or dining area.
“We’ve reached the point where we need to get beyond that,” Holloway said.
Adequate living quarters is expected to help retain personnel, said fire Chief Colin Hennessey.
The project has a target cost of $10 million, after revisions that brought it down from an initial $15 million. Holloway said the town would likely issue bonds to cover the costs, but would be able to service that debt through existing town revenue without the need to enact a tax levy.
Donations are also being sought from some major industries in town that it could be argued have contributed to the need for expanded capabilities and equipment for the fire department, Holloway said.
The current plan calls for building on to the east side of the current building on Highway 142 (which also houses the town offices) with a two-story structure. That new building would house trucks and equipment on the first floor with the living quarters on the second floor. The space that currently houses trucks would be reworked for training space, offices and turnout gear storage and handling.
Another benefit of the new space would be freeing up the the Town Hall meeting room. That space is now regularly used by the fire department and is not as available as it used to be for rental.
“Part of the investment is to get this space back for community use,” said town Supervisor Roger Gahart, while standing in the meeting room where the presentation was made.
