Fire Station

[Sean Nelson]

Wanted to know what the interest was in the Fire Station project was?
Also what ideas do people have?

[M Kerkvliet]

Wanted to know what the interest was in the Fire Station project was?
Also what ideas do people have?

Sorry Sean. I saw your post about that and never got to it I guess...

The Fire Station is a good idea. Somewhere in the area of Main Street would be great. We will have to wait until we have a more definitive plan for the area before we do any more building there. The RR is going to be moving in the next couple of years, and the east gate crossing will be moved as well, so we have to be careful on that corner.

Be sure to keep reminding us of this over the next few years! We'll get to it eventually!

[40avery]

The fire hall has some funds waiting and over the years has had a few interested in it's construction. I believe it will happen, however, there has never been a group with a champion come forward and really get the push going for it.

If this happens there are volunteers that will join in and help with the labor.

[Sean Nelson]

I have been talking with Red and we have a few ideas. A few are in the post under Main street: 2 story, sliding poles, steam fire engine, more modern apparatus (60s or 70s?). Local and general FD history and pictures. Names of all members past and present who are or have been FFs. I would love to help with this project as much as I can. :)

[40avery]

Good news that you want to help. As I said previously, there are other people that also want to help but we need a person/group to take the lead on the planning and development.

[80pfd]

To Sean and All;
It is beyond time for me to contact Red also. I did it a while back (late 2005).
Is there a web site or other place which can tell me what items have been donated to the fire hall? I have a few from my years (22) with the Prophetstown Fire Department. Could that be done on the link on the main page? I do not know what I could get donated from this area, but I could try.
As with Sean's location, I have a minor problem with distance affecting my ability to get to Rollag more than once or twice a year.
I understand that a person or group is needed to "take this project and go with it". I hope that can be found soon. That would be a problem with me living in Illinois.
As all exhibits in Rollag are "working ones", I truly believe that the Fire Hall would be no exception. The engines on the grounds would be capable of drafting water from a fold-a-tank and pumping as the engine was rated when it was first built. I would need a bit of training to operate a two-stage fire pump.
If you do not want to overload this page with messages to me; contact me at;
Paul McCracken
101 1st St. W./ PO Box 125
Lyndon, IL.
61261-0125
(twocampers@frontiernet.net)
Thank You.

[M Kerkvliet]

If you do not want to overload this page with messages to me; contact me at;
Paul McCracken

You guys can keep posting your ideas here in this forum. That is what we are here for!

You probably have some time for planning, as there is a lot of work to be done on the RR and main street before this project can proceed.

That is not to discourage you. Every project starts with an idea. The more detailed you can get in your planning before bringing your idea to the board, the better chance you have in getting it approved. Like Rick said, you will need to find someone to be the "champion" of the project... make the appropriate contacts, put together a budget, and come and see the board! Be prepared to get turned down a time or two because of lack of available funding... but you will be on the list, and the more persistent you are, the better your chances! The sooner you start, the sooner your project will get approval... when moneys become available.

Again, this would be an awesome addition! Please keep us all informed!

[40avery]

What Mark states is true although this project has some funds detailed to it already. It is not enough to do the entire project but there are some. Also we have discussed a location in the general vicinity of where Sean is talking about.

Once a person/group is up and running and we see it will probably not fall apart it will get due consideration to move ahead. Details on how that will work can be worked out if and when the principals step forward.

[Sean Nelson]

While fitting on Main Street I would like the Fire Station in a different location. Reasons include less work on RR, and less pedestrian traffic. As a working exhibet the Fire Station would have apparatus movement which would be safer in a location off Main Street, which has a lot of people walking around. To 80pfd the 1st fire engine I worked with was 2 stage and I would love to answer any questions you might have.

[karl stange]

sean brings up a very good point about how ridiculous the pedestrian traffic is around the main street house, mercantile, general store, boutique, etc.

this in no way is a bad thing for the show... it's more a matter of safety!:soapbox:


a good spot for the fire hall might be to the south of the post office once all rr work is completed. seeing how the track curve will be greater allowing more room in this area. the east gate crossing road could be to the south of this building. :confused:

i also believe this should be the next building built on main street.:bannana: this hall has been in the planning stages and talked about by various people before arvid past away.

here's some question for you guys....

how many fire trucks do we have on the grounds? i'm thinking it's four but not sure.
how many more trucks do we need to get? or should we stay within a certain time span?
should we try and style the building front facade from the early 1900's? using actual brick or brick facsimile?

my two cents worth... ha

[40avery]

Karl,

The new curve in the railroad is actually going to take away space in the area you are talking about. We will actually be moving the crossing to the north. Somewhere near where the post office or gas station is now.

Our big gain will be as the curve opens to the north.

Rick

[Sean Nelson]

I like the idea of brick. I will try to get together some possible building plans and some similar pictures. Also we could use some older gear and other equipment.

[40avery]

Someone needs to start looking for donations and grants if you are considering a brick building. The cost is going to be huge!

We are talking about a "small town" fire station here. We may want to look at one on main street for turn of the century equipment and another near the service building for the more modern apparatus we will be responding with.

[karl stange]

rick,

i like your idea of having an turn of the century fire hall on main street and a more modern one elsewhere.

about your comment on the rr curve.....i'm a little confused (so what's new, ha.)...
moving the tracks from the north out east on to the road should make the curve longer and give more radius. this is if the track will tie back into the existing point of tangent coming from the baker depot.

about the brick...
it may be "cheesy" but having a fake brick front would to me look just fine. reason i feel this way because the materials produced now-a-days are remarkable for appearance.

[40avery]

In order to ease the curve, which is now more of a square corner, you have to start earlier, end later, and draw in the center. Therefore the center of the curve comes further west than it does now and the curve will still end later and further to the east. If you look at a sketch you will see quite clearly the needed layout.

[Lee]

I talked to Jim Odegaard last night and he would like to get the Fire Hall project active again.I don't think he has a computer so he hasn't read the posts on the forum.He has been in contact with several of the people on this thread.
What would be the best way to get interested parties together?Could a meeting be set up at a place and time? A lot of planning could be done over the internet as the folks far away could contribute and keep updated.
Jim thinks, and I do to,that it would be nice to have something on paper, a visual aid if you will, of something to shoot for.The plans would probably change, but it would be a start.If we could get general dimensions, possible layouts, future add ons,etc, to show people.
What are the guidelines for fundraising? Legal and WMSTR's. Could a spot be set at the show to let the public know or contribute,to the project? There is a lot of volunteer firefighters out there and this could be a draw for people that might not otherwise go to a steam show.And kids love firetrucks.Thanks for letting me ramble,Jeff

[40avery]

A meeting would be good. I would suggest shooting for either an early August or late July date. If you want to check with when Jim could attend and post it we will see what we can get going. If we do it in July it gives us some more planning room prior to budget time.

[Sean Nelson]

Will not make a meeting in late July or early August. :( Hope to be at the show. If the Bismarck or Fargo Fire Departments hire more this may soon be less of an issue.:praying: Will be involved as much as I can.

[40avery]

We can do the meeting or meetings any time. Let me know when you can attend and we can set up a meet.

[Lee]

It sounded like Jim was pretty flexible as far as a meeting in late July or early August.A meeting during the show (at night?) would work too.This forum is a great communition tool.

[Sean Nelson]

I should be there by at least the weekend before the show:D I will bring pictures and ideas. I am not set in stone on brick. I do like the Fire Station at Bonanzaville. and have based some of my ideas on it and other displays. I would like to make it more of a working display than that though. I think it would be great if we could meet around showtime.:)

[Sean Nelson]

Possible motto for the WMSTR Fire Department.



Saving the Past, in the Present, for the Future.


Safeguarding the Past, in the Present, for the Future.

[M Kerkvliet]

I like either one Sean! :thumb:

[Sean Nelson]

I am leaning towards the 2nd one. I think the tense fits better.