Rescue squad expects to return to rebuilt station by spring; open house, fundraising planned

Neil, representing the county rescue squad, updated the Health, Welfare & Recreation Committee on the recovery and replacement work after the squad’s building was damaged by fire.

He said interior work is advancing — ductwork, plumbing and installation of air conditioning are in place, inside metal work is nearing completion and contractors expect to begin hanging Sheetrock next week. "Maybe by April, we should be back in the building," Neil said.

Neil reported the squad has replaced vehicles lost in the fire: a 2023 Dodge was procured and a Ford patient‑transport unit was in Nashville for outfitting. He said the squad also obtained a rehab truck and that lighting and final outfitting are pending. The squad plans an open house during rescue‑squad week in May; Neil said the event will likely fall in the third full week of May and that a date mentioned in discussion was May 24, but that the date will be confirmed once construction is complete.

Why it matters: the rescue squad provides countywide emergency response and serves as a rehab and support unit at structure fires. Neil said membership is strong — 28 people on the roster, with about 15 routinely available for calls — and volunteers regularly staff rehab and water‑support duties on scene. He described a recent call in which volunteers helped extract a worker who had fallen during construction.

Neil discussed fundraising losses after the fire — a typical April barbecue fundraiser did not occur last year or so far this year because of the loss of cooking and staging space; the squad hopes the open house and member donations will help. He thanked the commission for prior support and said the community has been generous.

Ending: Neil said final outfitting of vehicles and interior work are imminent; the squad will confirm the open‑house date with commissioners once the building is ready.