Ground breaking in the yard in front of Newberry Fire Department begins Monday with Tumbleson White Construction, Inc. The city of Newberry contracted the construction company to expand the station in 180 days for $565,000. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Newberry community members and firefighters alike welcomed the Newberry Fire Department's renovations, which started construction on Monday with a 4:30 p.m. groundbreaking ceremony. Taxpayers and a radio communications company are paying approximately $600,000 for the property expansion, which will make the station able to house an ambulance and new tanker truck, as well as the $400,000 for personal protection equipment, new vehicles and an increases in firefighters' wages.
Newberry Fire Department Chief Ben Buckner explains improvements to the station planned to take shape in the next 180 days. Monday was the first day of construction, and the groundbreaking ceremony was set for 4:30 p.m. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
From left: Arnold Haake and Greg England erect a silt fence for erosion control before the official groundbreaking ceremony at the Newberry Fire Department on Monday. The renovations to the property will cost the city and taxpayers around $600,000, while equipment, pay raises and other improvements to the department will cost about $400,000. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Ground breaking in the yard in front of Newberry Fire Department began Monday with Tumbleson White Construction, Inc. The city of Newberry contracted the construction company to expand the station in 180 days for $565,000. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Newberry City Manager Mike New points to the blueprints for the Newberry Fire Department’s station renovations on Monday. The current layout has bunker-style sleeping quarters for four firefighters, 22-year-old tanker trunks and little storage space, he said. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Sleeping quarters for the four on-duty firefighters in the Newberry Fire Department reveal the lack of privacy, space and gender equity issues that renovations will fix. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Newberry Fire Department Chief Ben Buckner points towards a spot in the yard of the station that will be renovated. The almost 40-year-old station is expanding to include more private bunking for firefighters and an ambulance bay, among other improvements. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
A rusted doorknob shows the Newberry Fire Department’s age. A construction crew began working on renovations Monday. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Ground breaking in the yard in front of Newberry Fire Department begins Monday with Tumbleson White Construction, Inc. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Tumbleson White Construction, Inc. project superintendent Larry Davis helps erect a silt fence around the Newberry Fire Department’s yard before the groundbreaking ceremony at 4:30 on Monday. The fence will control erosion and run-off while the workers expand the almost 40-year-old station. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Newberry Fire Department Chief Ben Buckner stands in the fire station’s kitchen while giving a tour of planned renovations slated to begin on Monday. The wall beside him will be knocked down to make room for more storage and living space. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Wooden stakes lie in the yard of the Newberry Fire Department station. The construction company Tumbleson White Construction, Inc. contracted to renovate the station, built in 1980, broke ground on Monday. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)