The Mishawaka Fire Department is proud to transition to a brand-new firehouse at 700 East McKinley Avenue. This project marks a significant upgrade from the current 61-year-old facility and will be a beacon of innovation, safety and community engagement.
“We cannot always over-prepare, but we can always build a great base,” said Fire Chief Bryon Woodward. “This station has been a huge need for the health and safety of our people.”
With the ribbon cutting and open house set for October 19, Mishawaka Fire Station 2 will be located in front of Liberty Elementary School. The new station is the result of a partnership with the School City of Mishawaka. The location will improve traffic patterns for school pick-ups and drop-offs. The department will also be reintroducing its survival training for first, third, and fifth graders with updated technology and methods.
“Our old station does not fit the needs of today,” said Woodward. “What used to be an alarm-dispatch center, we had to put bunks in there to house everyone. It was so cramped. There also wasn’t a female quarter set up in that building. We knew we had to build for the future growth of the department of the city.”
The Mishawaka Fire Department features 122 full-time members. Daily operations require a minimum of 31 firefighters a day, with four engines, two ladders, a heavy rescue unit, a battalion chief and four ALS ambulances. With a staff cross-trained as paramedics, advanced EMTs, and firefighters, the new facility accommodates its diverse range of needs. The upgrade is also crucial given the increased run volume of Engine Two and Medic Two, both of which operate from this location.
“We are here for anything,“ said Woodward. “When our people are not working in the streets, they are honing and improving their skills. By providing them a modern, state-of-the-art facility, it will be a giant benefit to their mental and physical health and help them accomplish our mission of protecting our community.”
The new fire station shifts from traditional, dormitory-style accommodations to 12 individual bedrooms, each furnished with Murphy beds. The design ensures that every firefighter has their own private space, eliminating the need for separate quarters based on gender. The station also includes six individual community bathrooms with residential-style amenities. A large kitchen table will be a pinnacle for nourishment and conversation. To safeguard the health of the firefighters, the station is designed with cutting-edge features to protect against contaminants. To help build physical stamina, the station offers a new weight room with an eight-foot roll-up door to access fresh air and a large training room.
“To me, it is important to call them firehouses instead of fire stations because we live there,” said Woodward. “We want this to feel like home, especially since the sleep cycle can be broken up over a three day shift, leading to physical and mental drain. We want to give our people a space to relax and have a little break to see their families.”
Overall, the new firehouse is designed to be a sanctuary for the firefighters, offering them the comfort and resources needed to recharge and perform their duties effectively. For the community, one of the training rooms doubles as a community space for meetings and gatherings. In all, the station is shaping up to be a hub for community engagement and protection.
For more information on the Mishawaka Fire Department and its new facility, visit its website.
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