Walk into the bays at the Slingerlands Fire Department’s headquarters on New Scotland Road, and the smell of diesel fumes is powerful.
“Every time we’re out here getting dressed, and firefighters are getting their gear on, they are inhaling diesel exhaust while the trucks are running, because they load in the station,” said Ryan McConky, a commissioner for the Slingerlands Fire District.
It’s one of the many reasons that department leaders have proposed a $1.8 million expansion project. The fire station was opened in 1966 and contains much of its original infrastructure. Stained walls and ceilings from a leaking roof are visible in many spots and tight quarters make for dangerous conditions for the 40 volunteer firefighters that belong to the department.
McConky led a tour of the station during a public meeting held Wednesday Nov. 16. He showed members of the department and the public where exhaust systems would be placed. Right now, makeshift changing stations are situated between the department’s fire trucks. They would be moved into a “ready room,” and exhaust systems would be located between trucks.
“Due to space issues, we have gear lockers between the trucks,” said McConky. “It precludes us from putting in an exhaust system.”
Plans include the addition of two bays, more storage areas for equipment and files, the construction of a radio room in the front of the building, and the addition of a decontamination station, where firefighters can wash off harmful substances from fire scenes or from work on equipment at the station.
The department serves over 1,800 residential and commercial properties, but a little more than ten people showed up for the public meeting, not including members of the department.
Resident Ken Preston, a former firefighter himself, expressed a sentiment of support.
“I’m with you, but also worried about my taxes,” said Preston.
“I think they’ve convinced me that there’s a need for the expansion,” said John Kowalik, a resident of Slingerlands. “It’s not excessive. It’s not extravagant.”
Kowalik also inquired about the potential for more expansion in the future due to the growth of the Vista Technology Park. Fire district officials said they had no plans for another expansion project, and residents were assured that a town-wide assessment of fire departments that was recently completed shows that the department has adequate resources to respond in its coverage area.
The proposal would put costs around the $1.8 million dollar mark. Much of that money — $1.68 million – would be used for design and construction, with $85,000 used for site work and equipment and $35,000 used for legal, financing, and administrative fees.
The fire district includes portions of the towns of Bethlehem and New Scotland. In Bethlehem, an approved expansion would mean a tax increase of $78.44 for the average assessed home, and in New Scotland, that increase would be $48.94.
One resident asked if there was any incentive to keep the project costs below the $1.8 million figure if that is what voters approve. McConky assured the small audience that the board is committed to finding the lowest prices for the work, and looking to expedite the work in any way possible to keep costs down.
“One of the things we’re working on is can we get out of the way for minimal or no cost, depending on where we house the equipment, so that they can just come in, tear the floors out, go to the town on the building, and maybe finish a month early,” said McConky.
Fire district officials also said they’d look at using a reserve fund that totals $360,000 to help defray some of the costs of the project.
A public vote will be held Dec. 13 from 6-9 p.m. for residents of the district. More information on the project can be found at www.slingerlandsfirerescue.org.