Richmond Fire Department shares big plans for firehouses, new equipment

RICHMOND, Ind. — Chief Jerry Purcell described firehouse renovation projects and new equipment purchases Monday to Richmond Common Council.

Then, he introduced council members to seven of his newest firefighters attending the meeting.

"The most important thing we have is people," Purcell said. "And we have outstanding people."

The new firefighters — Nathan Bales, Garrett Tudor, Denzel Durham, Justice Raider, Alex Young, Josh Brown, Christian Sharats and Joe Kascheur — are the first to graduate from a three-month academy training program designed by Deputy Chief Andy Buckler and conducted at RFD's South Eighth Street training facility, the Israel "Izzy" Edelman Fire and Police Training Center.

A video showed council members the trainees working through various challenges. Purcell said that after this successful class, the training program will be opened to other Indiana departments.

Purcell said the trainees learned to work in teams and to build a circle of trust, two factors necessary in their day-to-day jobs.

"I'm very proud of the program (Buckler) developed," Purcell said.

Remodeling one fire station — and building a new one

In addition to graduating an academy class, the fire department this year completed remodeling Station 3 at 3850 Woodside Drive. The emergency medical transport account funded the remodel.

Purcell said stations need remodeling to handle a bump in personnel from three to five and to better accommodate women. When RFD began providing emergency medical transport, housing an ambulance at the stations increased the personnel assigned to the smaller stations. More women also have been hired, making RFD as diverse as it's ever been, Purcell said.

Remodeling includes individual rather than dorm-style bedrooms and separate men's and women's showers and bathrooms. The Station 3 firefighters also built a deck outside the kitchen.

Remodel plans for Station 5 at 1971 W. Main St. are being developed. That project will start this year and continue into 2023. It, again, will be funded by the EMT account.

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Purcell also is looking for a location to build a new, expanded Station 2 closer to the Midwest Industrial Park, filling a gap left when Station 6 was closed. A larger station farther west than the one at 930 Winding Ridge Drive would house the department's aerial ladder, a pumper, the medical ATV and special rescue equipment.

Plans call for the design to be completed this year with construction to begin next spring. The EMT fund would cover the $2 million to $2.5 million estimated cost.

New equipment, trucks and community paramedic program

The department also has updated all dive team equipment using EMT money, and donations are funding a new live-burn prop at the training grounds.

RFD has ordered a 100-foot aerial truck costing more than $1.4 million to replace the current 1999 75-foot unit. It is receiving a discount by paying cash from the EMT account. Purcell said that with technology improvements, the new truck, even with the longer ladder, will be shorter and more agile in city streets than the current aerial unit.

A new pumper to put Engine 5 in reserve service is budgeted for 2023. Delivery of that unit and the aerial truck, which is a year to a year-and-a-half away, will complete the replacement of all front-line equipment since 2016.

RFD will seek a grant to purchase a new heavy rescue truck that would be housed at the new Station 2. When it replaced its previous rescue truck, the department purchased a rescue pumper.

A two-year, $1 million grant is enabling RFD to implement a community paramedicine program that focuses on integrated healthcare. At the start, it's addressing drug addiction, homelessness and mental health issues among residents who use RFD's transport services.

A social worker already has begun work with the program, and the grant includes a community paramedic position.

Purcell said RFD has rebuilt itself, on the shoulders of its members, since 2013. The current projects and plans and, of course, people are now building a better future for the department, he said.