KEESEVILLE — Government officials, community members and firefighters celebrated the newly renovated Keeseville Volunteer Fire Department station Saturday during a grand reopening ceremony at the facility.
The 140-year-old station underwent a $3.5 million face lift, adding some much needed square footage to the facility, which now houses six fire trucks, a brush truck, a water trailer and two ambulances.
BUMPER TO BUMPER
“We didn’t buy anything special,” Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Dave Winter said.
“It’s just over the years, the way the trucks have evolved for size and so forth, it was time to renovate and do something with the station. It was bumper to bumper, and there was barely any room to walk between them.
“The water truck used to sit outside under a lean-to.”
The renovation added additional office space, an enhanced kitchen and a vehicle-exhaust system, as well.
DRESS UNIFORMS
The ceremony kicked off with firefighters in their dress uniforms marching toward the station’s flag, followed by the "The Star-Spangled Banner" and remarks by Congresswoman Elise M. Stefanik (R-Willsboro), State Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury), Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay), Dan Stec (R-Queensbury) and Chesterfield Deputy Supervisor Russell Blaise.
“I’m so excited to be here today to honor this special project, which is so important to our community, and to thank all of our volunteers” Stefanik said.
“Thank you for your service as first responders, particularly during our cold winters. I know that means answering the call when we’re at subzero temperatures.”
EMS CONTRACT
Firefighter Jim King, who’s been a member of the department for 54 years and is a past Clinton County Emergency Services director, introduced the speakers.
He thanked Little for helping to pass a law, when she was an assemblywoman, that allowed the Fire District to enter into a much-needed contract with the then Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital for EMS services.
“That took a while to get through, and soon after that, the discussion began about a new building,” Little said. “That took a little longer. But now, here we are.”
IT'S THE PEOPLE
Before he was elected to the assembly, Stec was the Queensbury town supervisor, which had five different fire companies.
“Figuring out budgets for those fire companies is one of the worst jobs,” he said. “We love you guys, and we need you. We recognize at that, but we also have a responsibility to the taxpayer. It’s always hard, and from my perspective, we can never say thank you enough.”
Jones told the firefighters and the community that they should be proud of the beautiful new building.
“But a building is only as good as the people that you put in it and the people of the community who make it what it is,” he said.
RIBBON-CUTTING
Blaise marveled at the 140-year-old fire department, which once functioned with horse-drawn wagons.
“It’s still active because of the dedicated men and women who have unselfishly given of themselves to protect their family, friends and neighbors since 1878,” he said.
After additional comments from Winter, Fire Chief Mike Stranahan, EMS Capt. Deb Winter and Auxiliary President Dorene Dixon, the ceremony ended with a ribbon-cutting by members with 40 or more years of experience as Keeseville firefighters.
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