Hello everyone.  I just wanted to share some of the accomplishments our department has made in the past few months with improving our service, and ask for advice on an issue we are having with our station.

A few months ago I submitted a grant package to the Wal-Mart Community Service Grant Program, including a 500 word essay describing our department, issues we face, why we need the money and what we will purchase, and what the new equipment will do for our community.  I ended up winning the grant and as a result we were finaly able to purchase a much needed TIC and 4-gas meter.  The TIC is a SCOTT Eagle Attack with charger base, extra battery and glow in the dark covers as well as a retractable lanyard to attach to bunker coats.  The meter is Also a SCOTT Safety 4-gas meter that replaces our basic CO detector that was going on 7 years old. 

The assistant chief I serve under approached a local farmer who had a new 4-wheeler he was looking to sell or trade in because he had purchased something bigger and better for his needs.  Its a 2010 Cub Cadet 4 wheeler with manual dump body.  He sold it to us for $3,000 less than what its worth and we now have a brush fire/rescue 4-wheeler.  In the future we will purchase a skid unit for it with a pump capable of drafting, and a rescue body that carries a stokes basket.

Our current problem is our station, we have no room!  We pack in 5 trucks in a 3 bay station, and we now have the 4-wheeler with a trailer to add to it.  We were looking to expand our current station in a 2 phase project that will take years to finish; Phase 1 would be to put an addition on the rear of our current station giving us a 4-bay truck room with storage and a chiefs office, than phase 2 would be to rennovate the current building and update the kitchen/meeting room, add an EMS office and radio room, and still have 2 bays up there as well. 

But now someone brought up just building a new station on the property the town just recently built a new town court/office building on.  I realize a new station would be better for the future but also realize we have the ever un-popular financial issue.  We serve 2200 people in a mostly rural/agricultural area with no industrial areas.  We average 150 calls a year, mostly EMS and mutual aid to other departments.

Just looking for advice from those who may have been part of a new building in their district, or someone who knows about grants for new fire stations or rennovations.

Thanks in advance.