West Deer Fire Company No. 3 to feature indoor facility for firefighter training

Within the year, West Deer Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 will boast a rare new amenity to keep members in top condition.

The department is reconfiguring its new station along Gibsonia Road to accommodate indoor fire training, complete with ladders, search-and-rescue stations and rappelling.

“It’s a tremendous feature that we’ll be able to hold training in the winter and during rain — and right here on-site,” Chief Josh Wiegand said.

A modification of the new $1.8 million fire station is set to begin in the coming months.

“The ceilings are high so we can set up ladders, and we can do rope rescue revolutions,” Wiegand said.

The nearest such training facilities at fire departments are in Wexford and Adams, along with the state Fire Academy in North Park.

Citizens Hose in Harrison has a dark training room to simulate search-and-rescue operations. It is a maze of obstacles and hazards including drop-down doors, stairs on pulleys and moveable walls.

Wiegand said the in-house training at the No. 3 station will benefit the township because it keeps his 40 members in the community.

“If something happens, this allows us to stay in service,” he said. “We practice weekly so that’s another prop that’s built into our facility.”

The cost of renovations is not yet determined but will be covered by a $750,000 grant awarded to the department this month through Congressman Chris Deluzio’s office. Engineers are drawing designs for the space.

Wiegand said he plans to open the training to other departments.

State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook said training and access to adequate facilities is critical to making sure fire personnel can keep themselves and the communities they serve safe.

“We are grateful to Congressman Deluzio for working to secure this funding,” Cook said. “Funding construction can be difficult for fire companies that are already strained for resources, so using grant funds is often the only way for fire departments to address needs like this.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro recently proposed doubling the $30 million Fire and Emergency Medical Services Grant program, Cook said.

West Deer No. 3 moved to its new station last year after outgrowing its former site, just down the road.

Volunteers respond to about 1,000 calls a year — up from 400 calls a decade ago.

The department earlier this year received a $200,000 state grant to expand the garage and keep all the equipment weather-tight.

A portion of the money obtained through Deluzio’s office will be used to complete the transition of the former Krigger & Co. commercial building into a modern facility, Wiegand said.

Money will pay to move electrical boxes and expand the parking lot, all necessary strategic planning for the future.

“As West Deer continues to see rapid growth, it’s crucial to address the increased demand for essential public safety services,” Wiegand said.

“We’re very thankful. We’ve been looking at this for five years, so it’s fabulous.”

The grant is sure to make life better for residents, said Deluzio, D-Aspinwall.

“The funding will go directly to things that matter to us in Western Pennsylvania,” he said.