Township supervisors to consider renovations at North Hempfield fire station

The North Hempfield Volunteer Fire Company could soon get a face-lift.

Hempfield supervisors this week approved an agreement with Pine-based RSSC Architecture for architectural consulting services. The company will provide the township with a plan that could help guide potential renovations at the Route 66 station.

“This will not end up in construction drawings, but what this will help us do is formulate a plan on what that building could look like,” John Storey, deputy fire chief for the Hempfield Township Fire Department, said at a recent workshop meeting.

In all, the plan will explore updates and physical changes of the building, general code requirements and will consider handicapped accessibility. Township fire Chief Tony Kovacic noted the plan will also help leaders budget for the renovations.

“It’s going to be a big help for us to provide that road map moving forward,” Storey said.

According to township manager Jason Winters, the architectural services will cost no more than $15,000. The project will take between eight and 12 weeks to complete.

The decision to hire an architect comes several months after the station became the first chartered member of the Hempfield Township Fire Department. In that acquisition, the township incurred financial obligations, as well as property and apparatus owned by North Hempfield. A month after North Hempfield became a charted member, Hempfield No. 2 followed suit.

Kovacic noted, however, that North Hempfield is the only station being considered for renovations.

“The look and feel of this one is setting the template for the future,” Winters said.