Fishers Fire Department headquarters and Station 91 personnel and equipment initiated on Friday the first phase of its move to a temporary location at the Fuel Tank in Fishers off 126th Street. The project was announced late 2018.
After 28 years of housing fire personnel and administrative staff, the needs of the community and the department have exceeded the ability of the existing headquarters building. Built in 1991, the current facility replaced a small block building located next to the old Archers Meat Market on 116th Street. The population was estimated between 10,000 and 12,000 (U.S. Census) and the department had just hired its first paid recruit class of seven firefighters.
Once built, this structure at the Fuel Tank off 126th Street will serve as Fishers Fire HQ until construction of the new headquarters is completed. (Photo provided)
The department now serves a population estimated at 92,000 (U.S. Census) with six firehouses and 146 personnel. Expanding needs and growth of the area has spurred additional services from fire and EMS to include a dive rescue team, specialty rescue, hazardous materials, community paramedicine, mental health emergency duty officer, as well as expanded medical and educational services to the community.
City and department officials’ primary concern and course of action is to assure the citizens of Fishers, specifically those within the response area of this station, that services will not be interrupted or unduly delayed. Rather than move personnel to other stations and leaving a “hole” in the response area, Mayor Scott Fadness and Fire Chief Steven Orusa evaluated all possibilities to make sure the community and the crews’ needs will be met. Through a partnership with Indy Fuel, those needs are being met and services the community deserves will continue during this process.
In March, the headquarters building demolition will begin and construction of a new, larger fire headquarters on the same site will begin shortly after. Personnel will temporarily be housed at the Fuel Tank apartments located next to the Fuel Tank Skating Rink. Firefighters and administration will occupy the first floor of the building. A temporary structure is being constructed to house apparatus in the parking lot of the apartment building to provide protection of the equipment from the elements. Total construction of the Headquarters/Station 91 building is estimated between 16 and 20 months.
Fire Administration moved into the temporary Station 91 on Friday, while fire crews will move operations and emergency response on Jan. 30. No renderings are currently available of the new station.