COLUMBUS GROVE, Ohio (WLIO) - The Columbus Grove Fire Department opened its new station to the community Sunday afternoon, hosting an open house for friends and family to tour the facility.
The idea for a new station was formed several years ago, but the cost to build it was estimated at more than $3 million. Former firefighter and lifelong resident Larry Clymer then approached the department with an offer to construct the building himself, allowing the department to purchase it from him. Now, the firefighters have more space than they ever expected.
"It feels really good. There's so much room in here. It's just unbelievable. We can have training in here and and a lot of room for the trucks, clean the trucks, take care of the trucks in here, where the other station we are so packed in there, we can't even we had trouble getting dressed in there with our turnout gear. I mean, it's just so overwhelmed, you know, to have this, this beautiful station that the taxpayer provided for us," said Fire Chief Bob Brubaker of the Columbus Grove Fire Department.
Chief Brubaker also expressed gratitude to the 40 men and women who make up the department’s crew.
