Carmel celebrates grand opening of Fire Department headquarters

The City of Carmel proudly celebrated the grand opening of the Carmel Clay Community Building on Thursday, Aug. 15, marking a significant milestone in the community’s dedication to public safety.

The event, held at 210 Veterans Way, attracted numerous residents and officials who came together to explore the new Carmel Fire Department (CFD) Headquarters and its associated facilities.

“Today’s grand opening is a proud moment for our city,” Mayor Sue Finkam said. “The Carmel Clay Community Building not only honors our past with its location on the site of our original fire headquarters but also represents a significant leap forward in public safety and community engagement. This state-of-the-art facility is a testament to the collaborative spirit of Carmel Clay Township, the City of Carmel, and our dedicated private donors. We are excited to see how this space will enhance our ability to serve and educate our community.”

The original Carmel Fire Department headquarters. (Photo provided by City of Carmel)

In 1950, long before there was the bustle of neighboring Midtown Plaza, CFD’s original headquarters was constructed on the very site of the new headquarters. When City Hall and Civic Square were constructed in 1987, the administrative functions relocated to what is now Station #341. In 1989, the Fire Buffs Museum was founded and housed within the headquarters as a way to preserve and highlight historic CFD vehicles, memorabilia, and important documents.

The facility’s upgrades will support the functions of CFD’s growing number of firefighters and was funded through a collaborative effort between Clay Township, the City of Carmel and private donations, including contributions from the Carmel Redevelopment Commission (CRC) and the Koorsen family of Koorsen Fire & Security.

One of the highlights of CFD’s new headquarters is the Stay Alive Family Education (S.A.F.E.) House. This interactive, immersive learning space, developed with cutting-edge audio/visual technology to enhance public safety education, was created by Bloomington, Ind.-based Blockhouse Studios and the city’s Information and Communication Systems team and features unique special effects designed to engage and educate the community about fire and life safety.

Click here to see a video of the S.A.F.E. House experience.

Chief David Haboush, Carmel Fire Buffs President Jim Martin, retired Clay Township Trustee Doug Callahan and Clay Township Trustee Paul Hensel (center) were joined by members of the Koorsen family, Carmel City Councilors, former Mayor Jim Brainard, Mayor Sue Finkam, representatives from Clay Township, CTI Construction, DLZ, and Envoy, Inc. (Photo provided by City of Carmel)

“Carmel Fire is excited to open this impressive education facility, museum and administrative offices,” Chief David Haboush said. “This one-of-a-kind interactive S.A.F.E. House will allow Carmel firefighters to educate our community on fire and life safety. The presence of this facility and its programs will ultimately save lives not only in our city but throughout the state.”

The grand opening event included remarks, refreshments, and guided tours of the new facility. CFD, along with partners and donors, were honored for their contributions, and attendees were treated to a firsthand look at the advanced educational tools and interactive exhibits.