Greenfield Recorder – Greenfield celebrates opening of new fire station after two-year, multi-million dollar project

GREENFIELD — Residents and firefighters gathered Monday morning with local and state officials to celebrate the opening of the new fire station at 41 Main St., an approximately $21.7 million project that took more than two years.

A crowd of about 50 people applauded as Mayor Ginny Desorgher and Fire Chief Robert Strahan stood alongside firefighters to cut the ribbon on their new station, ending the department's 920-day stay at its station temporary Hope Street.

“This station is a powerful testament to our commitment to public safety in Greenfield,” Desorgher said. “Our fire department, along with our police officers and first responders, are a courageous force and do great work every day in our community. When there is danger, they are the brave force that rushes to lend a helping hand. »

Many of the station's design elements, such as the keystones of the main entrance arch and some windows on the station facade, were taken from the department's original station, located at 412 Main Street . Strahan mentioned that the fire department even changed the address of the new location from 39 to 41 Main St., in homage to the original station.

Speaking to the crowd, Strahan said that while the “state-of-the-art” facility honors the past, it also includes modern enhancements such as an emergency command center, training wall and Zoom-enabled dispatch office . He noted that the station's design prioritized firefighter safety, with a decontamination center where firefighters can cleanse themselves of the cancer-causing chemicals they are exposed to on the job.

Strahan mentioned that although most residents refer to the new Greenfield Fire Department headquarters as a fire station, firefighters call it the “fire station” because most firefighters spend more time at the barracks than at home.

“The fire service is rich in tradition and we pay tribute to the brave men and women who came before us. The fire station is a physical representation of our firefighters: a station like a fire station is strong and unshakable, it never wavers and remains proud even in difficult times. It’s a place you can count on,” Strahan said. “The design of this building reduces the effects of carcinogens observed in our profession by limiting the contaminants that enter living spaces.

Other construction project stakeholders, such as Fire Station Construction Committee Co-Chair Butch Hawkins, Construction Oversight Services Project Manager Neil Joyce, Public Safety Committee Chairman David Moscaritolo and Koby Gardner-Levine, regional director for U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, spoke. of the project's completion as a testament to the strength and collaborative effort of the community. Additionally, City Council President John Bottomley, David Goodsell of DA Sullivan & Sons Inc. and Dennis Ross of architectural engineering firm H2M delivered brief remarks celebrating the project's completion.

“We are not a rich city, but we are proving that we can still do great things. Thanks to Chef Strahan and everyone who worked hard to make this possible. On behalf of the Greenfield City Council, congratulations,” Bottomley said.

Before officials cut the ribbon and the crowd headed to Giorgio's Pizza for a catered lunch, the Rev. Michael Pierz blessed the station, firefighters and all residents in attendance.

“You are the answer to many prayers,” Pierz said, addressing the firefighters.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at [email protected] or 413-930-4429.