The Mishawaka community now has increased capabilities for first responders actively serving the region with the successful completion of the new Mishawaka No.2 Fire Station. This $11.8M, 23,000 square-foot facility boasts additional space for staff expansion, a large, dual-purpose room for training and meetings, and more.
The station enhances living conditions for fire crews, allows for greater engagement with the community, and amplifies the fire department’s operational prowess in the region. It comes as a welcome upgrade from the Mishawaka Fire Department’s existing facility, which is over 60 years old.
“Our old station does not fit the needs of today. What used to be an alarm-dispatch center, we had to put bunks in there to house everyone. It was so cramped. There also wasn’t a female quarter set up in that building. We knew we had to build for the future growth of the department of the city.” – Byron Woodard, Fire Chief, Mishawaka Fire Department
Two important ceremonies were held during the official opening to dedicate the new building. The first included the traditional uncoupling of the fire hoses. This is a common practice symbolizing firefighters detaching hoses after extinguishing a fire, preparing them for the next emergency. The second was securing and raising the flag of the original fire station on the flagpole of the new facility. This honors the storied history of the fire department and the legacy of first responders who came before.
We’re proud to have played a role in helping the Mishawaka Fire Department take the next step in serving their community with this new facility. We hope it serves firefighters, their families, and the greater Mishawaka region for years to come!
