Burton Fire Chief Brian Davidson told Burton Township Trustees March 16 the department has applied for grants to fund an addition to the current station.
Burton Fire Chief Brian Davidson told Burton Township Trustees March 16 the department has applied for grants to fund an addition to the current station.
The Spring Street station in Burton Village is about 14,000 square feet, and the planned addition on the west side would add nearly 15,000 square feet, Davidson said in a phone interview March 17.
The estimated $6.3 million project would also cover renovations to the existing station, he said.
“This will bring us into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements,” Davidson said, adding the new building will create living quarters separate from the apparatus bays and room for equipment.
“Our community has grown and so have the demands on our fire and emergency services,” he said.
Lexipol, a grant-writing company specializing in public safety services, is handling the funding applications, meaning a local levy should not be necessary, he said.
“Our main goal is not to impact any local taxpayers and get it federally funded as much as we can,” Davidson said.
So far, an application has been submitted to the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations’ Congressionally Directed Spending program. The department also plans to apply for a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he said.
The Burton Fire Department provides fire and emergency medical services to Burton Village, Burton Township and part of Claridon Township.
In addition to providing more space for vehicles, the updated facilities would support training and improve operational readiness, according to the department’s website.
