Fire department presents new hall to Charlo
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CHARLO — After 15 years of planning, saving and waiting, the people of Charlo can rest assured knowing their fire equipment is under one, solid roof.
Construction of the new fire hall began in the spring, and on Saturday the community will have their first glimpse inside the structure at the Charlo-Moiese Volunteer Fire Department open house.
Charlo Volunteer Fire Fighter Shane Reum is thrilled with the new fire hall south of Charlo. He’s also ecstatic the fire department completed the structure without raising taxes or requesting a mill levy from the community.
But his favorite part of the project is that after years in the making, the fire hall is finally finished.
“I never thought that we would have gotten this far,” Reum said, noting all the hard work, sweat and donations that were put into its construction.
Steve Hoyt, Vince Brummer and Rich Gebardt all contributed greatly to the project in various ways, while the county donated gravel and the entire Charlo community participated in 16 annual Spaghetti Feeds.
“We greatly appreciated the donations we get for that,” Reum said.
Prior to the new 7,000 square foot building, the Charlo Fire Department juggled three different locations — the biggest and oldest of which was 16 by 32 feet.
The new fire hall holds all six of the fire department’s vehicles. It’s equipped with lockers, a kitchen, a refrigerator, a stove, an oven, a laundry room, complete with a washer and dryer, and storage space above the garages.
Though the fire department has no plans of obtaining a Dalmatian or utilizing a fire pole, they’re excited about the additions they are now able to consider.
The firehouse is set up to eventually have a generator, so if there were a calamity, the building could house community members.
“In the future we would like to get a flag pole and a helicopter pad for life flight,” Reum explained.
Both items are expensive and Reum hopes to collaborate with local hospitals to help with the helicopter pad.
“After 9-11, a flagpole would represent what we are all here for,” Reum explained.
He hopes a local Eagle Scout will assist in the endeavor.
With room to grow and space to improve services, the Charlo Volunteer Department is proud to offer a quicker response time as well as a shiny new building to house their equipment.
And after 15 years in the making, the small but strong fire department would like to invite the community to celebrate the new addition that will benefit everyone in the Charlo and Moiese area.
The open house is on Saturday from 12-3 p.m. and will provide guests with cake, coffee and juice.
“I would like to thank everyone that’s been involved,” Reum said. “I think it’s a great asset to the community.”
