July, 2004

New Station #3

Well, we have finally completed the work on the new station and training center! That was a major undertaking; the second biggest project for the fire department in the past eleven years. Now that we are finished working on the building we can concentrate on working from the building. I want to thank the people involved:

• The Township Board, they had the chutzpah to approve this project.
• Paradigm Design for providing a functional yet unique design.
• Constructors Inc. their efforts for quality, sometimes I’m sure, at the cost of profit have resulted in excellent buildings.
• The Public Safety Committee, including the members who started out on this project but are no longer serving.
• The Planning Commission
• The Planning and Building Departments who provided us with significant advice.
• All of the other Township departments for their support and encouragement; comments such as the "Taj Mahal" helped to keep us grounded. By the way the Taj Mahal is the burial vault of an Indian Empress who inspired the King to acts of charity and benevolence towards the weak and the needy so it seems somehow appropriate. All kidding aside, this was a true “team effort” for all of the township employees.
• The members of the Fire Department who provided valuable input.

But I do need to single out a few people.

• The dedication committee; Sue Morrow, Jeff Hawkins, Kathy Timmerman, Jennifer Lautenbach, and Dan Kanauz
• Bob Homan who helped champion this project and then didn’t interfere during it.
• Chief Jack Bridges who built such a fine fire department and actually initiated this project over eleven years ago.
• Don Bigger who spent many hours helping to make sure we got it just right and won’t get anywhere near the credit he deserves.

I would certainly be remiss if I left out the reason that there is a fire department, the residents of Plainfield Charter Township! If you weren’t able to attend the open house please stop by and ask someone to show you around, this is really your building. Thanks!