Keystone Valley Fire Department starts the renovation of the Central Station in Parkesburg Borough. August 7, 2017, is the projected start date.

Over the last year, the Board of Directors, building committee members, and our architect met many times to get a much-needed project jump-started — the renovation of our Central Station.

This project was originally started years ago by the Parkesburg Fire Company, before the consolidation and formation of the Keystone Valley Fire Department. Tim Reynolds, the building committee chairman, who has been leading the effort, advised that permits were issued years ago and are still in place.

Over the last year, we have partnered with the Parkesburg VFW and are excited to be incorporating a memorial site at the front east side of the project. Tim said, "KVFD and the VFW want to honor the Parkesburg area residents who are serving or have served our great nation and community as veterans or firefighters."

This project will include a complete renovation of our fire station and veterans' memorial, located at the Keystone Valley Fire Department, 329 W. First Avenue, Parkesburg, Pa.

Permits and plans have been approved over the last decade and are current, with over approximately $800,000 spent to date on the designs, plans and several preliminary projects.

The renovation project is necessary because of multiple issues. The building doesn't meet current standards, can't accommodate the size of apparatus, and isn't ADA-compliant. Mr. Reynolds said, "When the building was given back to us from the Borough, it was in need of a lot of work and still is."

The Parkesburg station is located in the most populated part of our district and is centrally located within the Fire District. The KVFD Fire District consists of West Sadsbury Township, Portions of Sadsbury and Highland Township, and Parkesburg Borough.

One of the more critical needs is a gear room with controlled ventilation. Recent studies highlight the need to provide a separate environment for the firefighter turn-out gear due to contamination with potentially cancer-causing chemicals encountered during firefighting.

The entire area will be remodeled, and those plans also include a Fallen Firefighter courtyard as well as a 9-11 monument. The new courtyard will have engraved pavers that families and friends can purchase to honor family members who fought in any war, firefighters, or memories of loved ones.

A new Flagpole will be the centerpiece of the World War Monument area, and the Fallen Firefighter Monument will be the centerpiece of the lower courtyard.

It became clear that with funds that have already been expended, we had to be mindful that the community has already invested in the renovation of our Central Station, and although there are some limitations with the size of the site, we have to move forward. The central station is centrally located within the district with the majority of our active crew members in its proximity. The command staff and fire district have plotted call volumes and call locations that clearly show the central station's location is well suited to serve the district now and in the future.

A study of the fire district and the Keystone Valley Fire Department was recently commissioned, and its report issued an update that clearly supports this project.

During the project, we are placing some apparatus at Mac Services on S. Church Street and the remainder at our East Station (Pomeroy).

We are excited that this renovation will update the "streetscape" in the Borough of Parkesburg and will contribute to revitalizing our community.

Stay tuned for updates and continue to follow us at WWW.KVFD8.COM and on social media.