Volunteering their labor for free
(NEW MARION, Ind.) – The New Marion Volunteer Fire Department has an aging firehouse that is not big enough to be used efficiently.
It’s an issue that fire chief Charlie Meisberger first tried to address in 2006, when the department considered building a new firehouse.
However, the costs were estimated around $800,000 which were too substantial to proceed and the project was scrapped and forgotten.
The idea of a new firehouse recently came back up, when a member of the Amish community approached the fire department.
“The Amish bishop said they want to build it and completely volunteer their labor,” Meisberger said.
Construction on the new fire station began on Monday, January 29.
It is located at 4800 S. Old Michigan Road and is across the street from the current firehouse.
Amish construction crews are completely volunteering their time and Meisberger estimates the total project will cost only $150,000.
The department plans to host an open house when the project is complete.
On a side note, Meisberger has served as New Marion's fire chief since 1976, making him one the longest serving fire chiefs in Indiana.
Comments