A Village of Lakewood LFD Project Task Force has been created to study a possible expansion of the current station located at 37 J.W. Packard Blvd. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

LAKEWOOD — Volunteer firefighters are finding it more difficult to house trucks and equipment in the current fire station.

So, at their Jan. 8 meeting, village trustees approved a measure to create a Village of Lakewood LFD Project Task Force.

According to Mayor Randy Holcomb, the group is tasked to study the current Lakewood Fire Department station, located at 37 J.W. Packard Blvd., and provide recommendations to trustees to better suit the needs of the LFD.

The trustees OK’d the task force to publish a request for proposals (RFP) to seek a qualified professional consultant to review and evaluate the existing LFD facility, make a building conditions assessment, assess potential options for expanding the current space, provide conceptual design work, estimate costs, and produce a feasibility study.

Trustees approved grant preparation and submission services for the New York State grant application to support volunteer fire departments which will be due April 30. The cost is $5,000.

“The village board (of trustees) was gracious enough to provide $5,000 out of this year’s budget for us to hire a grant writer to help us secure some of the funding,” said Trustee Ben Troche.

Troche added that the building is approaching its 30-year mark, and there needs to be work done at the station to guarantee its future.

Originally built in 1995, Holcomb said, there is new evidence over the past 15 years that has brought attention to the long-term health risks associated with equipment used for firefighting. Holcomb added that the call volume of the LFD has more than doubled in that time frame coupled with more required training for volunteer firefighters.

“As a result, the current facility needs alterations, and maintenance to secure the structure’s next 29 years,” Holcomb said.

Troche was appointed by Holcomb to be the task force chairman.

“I’m confident in his abilities and look forward to seeing the results of this hardworking group of individuals,” Holcomb noted.

Under Troche’s recommendation, trustees appointed to the task force Lakewood Fire Chief Kurt Hallberg, Lakewood-Busti Police Department Chief Chris DePonceau, village clerk/treasurer Apryl Troutman, residents Ted McCague, Kaie Smith.

“I’m excited and look forward to working with this committee and LFD to compile recommendations for further consideration of this board (of trustees). My goal is to bring this asset of the community to 2024 standards with minimal impact to our taxpayers,” Troche said.

The LFD, Holcomb said, is staffed with an entire volunteer roster who are tasked with fire, rescue, emergency medical services calls in the village and some municipalities outside the village. For more information contact the village hall at 716-763-8557.