Allendale’s New Firehouse: A Symbol of Community Progress

After years of anticipation, the new rehouse in Allendale is nally on the brink of completion. This project has been a long time coming, but the wait was well worth it! The rehouse will be sta ed with on-call re ghters and out tted with the latest technology, ensuring that the Allendale community receives the best possible emergency services. With improved response times and comfortable living quarters for re ghters, this new construction is set to make a positive impact on the community.

I interviewed Fire Chief Mike Keefe for more information on this project!

By Shelby Sullivan Writer for the AACC

The construction of the new firehouse was completed in February 2023, so the community can expect it to be open now! There are no plans for future expansions or upgrades, but the public is welcome to tour the facility once the firehouse is open.

"We are planning a community open house on May 6th. Details are still being worked out”, says Fire Chief Keefe. For those interested in getting involved in the ongoing maintenance and operation of the new firehouse, they can become paid on-call firefighters! "If anyone is interested in becoming a paid on-call firefighter, we are always looking for outstanding people to join," says Fire Chief Keefe.

What Was the Building Process Like?

"This has been a three-tiered project starting with the old maintenance building… Next comes the new fire station and the last will be the current township hall," says Fire Chief Mike Keefe of Allendale Township. Although it was difficult to get board approval and finance the project, the new firehouse was able to be paid for without raising any Ottawa county tax or millage rates! As if that weren’t great enough, the best part is gaining a new asset to the Allendale community. "The most exciting part was knowing after many years that we were going to actually see a new fire station,” says Fire Chief Keefe. “There have been many committees put together since 1998 trying to make this a go.”

What Upgrades is the Firehouse Getting?

The new firehouse is staffed and equipped with the latest technology, ensuring that the Allendale community receives the best possible emergency services. "For now, the station will be staffed from 6am-6pm Monday through Friday," says Fire Chief Keefe. "When not staffed, we have paid on-call firefighters that will cover Allendale." The construction of the new firehouse is expected to improve response times, too! "With the new construction we will improve response times. We will have living quarters for firefighters, which will increase their time spent at the station. This reduces the time it would take for them to respond from home.”

Let’s Get Excited!

In conclusion, the new firehouse in Allendale represents the community's unwavering dedication to providing top-notch emergency services. Despite the challenges faced during the building process, the end result is truly remarkable and will positively impact the community in countless ways.

Take action today by attending the upcoming community open house on May 6th and see the new firehouse for yourself! And for those interested in making a difference in their community, consider joining the team of paid on-call firefighters. Let's work together to ensure that the Allendale community continues to receive the best possible emergency services.

Allendale Area