Courtesy photo Volunteers continue to donate their time to help build a new outbuilding by the Ensign Township fire hall that will be used to store ice rescue equipment. Fundraising for the project is also being conducted by the volunteer firefighters.

ENSIGN — The Ensign Township Volunteer Fire Department has begun building themselves a new building next to their existing fire hall. It will be used for housing ice rescue equipment, which is currently stored on private property in a firefighter’s shed.

“It’s been there for quite a few years now, and we owe it to him to free that space up,” said Brian VanOss, who, in addition to being the department’s recording secretary, is heading the project to construct the new building.

Fire Chief Alan Novak said that the fill for the site was brought in a year and a half ago in anticipation of construction of the 30 by 40 foot structure.

After looking into the costs of hiring contractors, members of the fire department had realized that they would not be able to scrape together the funds to get a building up in a timely manner, so “in a meeting in January, we decided to just do this ourselves and save that much money and we can get more of the building built,” VanOss explained.

The weekend of June 29 this year, volunteers from the fire department poured concrete over what will supply in-floor heat. Based on the existing funds available, VanOss expects to be able to get the frame up, roof and exterior siding on this year, but not more than that.

“What’s unique about the building in itself is taxpayers aren’t paying for this,” VanOss said. “This is 100% funded through the department, being grants and volunteer time.”

Novak said that the raffle coming up and funds raised during the next Heroes’ Harvests will go toward the endeavor.

VanOss said that the “vision” is for a finished garage, insulated, with heat and electricity. The heated flooring will be very helpful in thawing out all the gear after ice rescues.

The trailer that is to be stored in this new garage carries all sorts of equipment that may be used during hardwater rescues where there are patches of open water. A key piece is the Argo, an amphibious eight-wheeled all-terrain vehicle with attachable tracks. Depending on the situation, rescuers may use a rapid deployment center (RDC), an inflatable raft, which is also kept in the trailer alongside ropes, life jackets, and other materials that may be used for ice rescues.

VanOss described the scene following a rescue or one of the department’s trainings: “10, 12 rescuers, you have suits and you have rope and all this equipment that’s just frozen.”

But in the hypothetical future, all the ice-covered gear could be deposited on the heated floor, “and it’ll be thawed by morning,” VanOss said. “That’s part of the reason (for the new building).”

In addition to freeing up one volunteer’s personal outbuilding and the convenient warming factor, there are other reasons that the new location is more suitable.

“There’s some benefits to having that equipment near our halls,” said VanOss. “When we do monthly maintenance, it’s right there. It gets more attention with our eyes on it.”

Because the firefighters recognize the need and understand that having a warm garage next to the fire hall will make their jobs easier, they’re giving up their personal time to get the work done.

For many, volunteer firefighting is in addition to full-time work elsewhere, so they have been working at the site — which is outside Rapid River at 9498 24th Road to the west of Alton Park — on weekends and the occasional evening.

“It’s different faces each time we come together — whoever can make it,” said VanOss. “We’re all stacking hands for a common goal, right? And it’s summertime; everybody has something else to do, so if you see somebody there you know they’re giving up something to be there. Who wants to throw concrete around? No one wants to do that, but we know it’s what’s best.”

A couple other people in the community have jumped in to help the firefighters on some days. If additional volunteers want to help out, they will be warmly welcomed, especially if they are bringing some building expertise or experience.

“If anyone wants to donate their time and labor or monetary donations, that would be great,” Novak said.

People may be reminded that the fire department is always looking for new members, too, and Ensign uniquely has a cadet program for 16- to 18-year-olds.

Interested parties may contact the Ensign Township Fire Department on Facebook or catch them at the build site this evening, Wednesday the 17th, after 6 p.m., or on a weekend.