With the of U.S. Congressman Dave Joyce, Hambden Township Fire Department was recently able to secure a 6. 75 million grant to build a new fire station.
With the of U.S. Congressman Dave Joyce, Hambden Township Fire Department was recently able to secure a 6. 75 million grant to build a new fire station.
Joyce successfully fought for and delivered the congressionally directed spending grant as part of the 2024 U.S. Department of Agriculture appropriations bill.
“We are very excited about this opportunity,” Hambden Fire Chief Scott Hildenbrand said. “This achievement has been made possible through the collective efforts of numerous individuals and organizations. This grant not only provides the financial resources necessary for the construction of the new fire station, but also underscores the importance of prioritizing public safety and emergency preparedness in our community. With the funding, we will be able to create a facility that not only meets but exceeds industry standards, equipped with the latest technology and amenities to support our brave firefighters in their life-saving mission.”
The grant, administered through the USDA, will cover nearly 75% of the project total, Hildenbrand said.
Hambden Fire Station, at 9867 Old State Road, was built in the 1950s and added on three different times over the years — including a pitched roof, two bays, larger kitchen and offices and training room, he said.
The station was used as a volunteer fire station. Over the years, it evolved into a staffed station with three personnel 24 hours per day to better serve residents as calls have continued to increase due to township growth, the chief said.
The fire department has 35 members working from one fire station, with most members cross trained in fire and EMS and many with specialized training, according to the fire department.
Providing 24-hour fire and advance life support EMS coverage to residents, the department operates 11 vehicles, including two engines, one tanker, two ambulances, a jeep, a utility vehicle, a chase vehicle, a chief’s car, row boat and a Geauga County Hazmat Team spill trailer, according to the department.
“There is just not enough room for us at this point and the maintenance on the building increases in costs,” Hildenbrand said. “As the building ages, things start to deteriorate and there are many problems. Flooding, septic, the well to name a few.”
The dorm room is one of the old offices with bunk beds and there are no men’s and women’s showers or dorms, he added.
“We have been planning an addition for a couple years that was going to cost an estimated $3 million dollars,” Hildenbrand said. “We had the opportunity to ask Congressman Dave Joyce for help, who has always been supportive of the safety forces. He came through for us as he knew how much it was needed.”
Joyce said he will always support local safety forces.
Besides Hambden’s first response area of 25 square miles, they also respond with automatic aid for another 225 square miles, including Aquilla Village, City of Chardon, Chardon Township, Munson Township, Montville Township, Claridon Township, Leroy Township, Huntsburg Township, Middlefield Village and Township, Thompson Township and parts of Concord Township.
“As everyone knows, we apply for every grant we can to help keep taxes low so we can and continue to provide and support Hambden Township,” Hildenbrand said. “We also are very active in the township and hold many fundraisers to assist. Either way, we were going to ask for assistance for our residents to keep our firefighters and paramedics in a safe and efficient place to serve.”
Hildenbrand thanked residents for their unwavering commitment to the community’s well-being, continued trust and support for the much-needed fire station.
Hambden Trustee Dave Johnson echoed Hildenbrand.
“The fire department has outgrown the existing building and I believe it would be too costly to upgrade it,” Johnson said. “You would still have a small lot and not much room for training.”
Hildenbrand said they are completing the paperwork required by the federal government and should have an estimated cost soon.
“The firefighters serving at the Hambden fire department play an integral role in Northeast Ohio, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities,” Joyce said. “The completion of this station will allow for Chief Hildenbrand and the heroic crew he leads to have the resources they need to continue to respond efficiently to fires and other emergency situations. I look forward to seeing the finished project and the public safety enhancements it has on the Hambden community.”
