Kinnelon Volunteer Fire Co. Awaiting New Firehouse

The is awaiting the selection of a bidder for a project to construct a new firehouse on Boonton Avenue next to the existing firehouse. According to Chief Jim Bosch, the bidder should be chosen this summer and begin work on the project in the fall, with the new firehouse being completed next year.

More than 20 bid packets were picked up from borough hall last week, the chief said.

Contractors will be tearing down the existing building and constructing a new one several feet from the current structure. Bosch said the Fire Co. began planning the project in the late 1990's and that once the project is complete, the new 80-by-50-square foot firehouse will be two stories high with a ready room (for firefighters to get dressed for calls), a large multi-purpose room, a radio room and office, a larger bathroom with shower, a handicapped acessible bathroom on the lower floor and more.

"In an emergecncy, we want to be able to house firefighters," Bosh said.

In the current firehouse, which Bosch said was built in 1968, there is not enough room for members to get from one side of the garage to the other without opening one of the bay doors. In all three of the firehouses in the borough (there is one on Kiel Avenue and another in Smoke Rise), fire engines are custom built to fit in the garages.

Specifically, Bosch meant for length, but he also pointed out that the ground in the right bay appears to be sinking. The engine that is stored in that bay weighs 58,000 lbs. and stores 2,500 gallons of water, he said.

While the current building only has two bays, the new building will have three bays. Bosch said the third bay will not be occupied right away and could be used as a maintenance bay, if needed. Bosch said this would be especially helpful in the winter, so those doing repairs on the engines would be able to do so indoors.

A new septic system will also be put in place at the site. The borough is funding the construction project through bond ordinance, although the Fire Co. paid to have a large rock that was located on the construction site removed. Bosch said power will also be run to the new firehouse underground.