Chief says call numbers up, morale boosted with move to new stationhouse

Milton Fire and Rescue Chief Nick Marique shows how an exhaust vent hose automatically slides along a rack and falls off as a vehicle leaves its bay on Tuesday at the new stationhouse on White Mountain Highway in Milton. (Lebanon Voice photos)

MILTON - After just 10 days in their spanking new digs at the Herbert Downs Fire-EMS Station, Milton Fire and Rescue Chief Nick Marique says he's already seen an uptick in morale and attendance at calls.

"It's nothing to come in here in the morning and see some of the members having breakfast in the kitchen," he said on Tuesday. "It's what you want, more people around. And when we have a call, we've had more people coming in."

For Marique, who spent nearly a decade fighting for the much-needed new station, it's satisfying to finally see its fruition and positive impact on the department.

There's plenty of room to move about between vehicles unlike before.

"It's a huge relief," he said sitting in his new office looking out at the front parking lot and White Mountain Highway. "Now I can focus on making the department better."

After many tours of the old, dilapidated building just south of downtown, the first thing you notice when you walk into the new stationhouse is there's lots of room.

There's room for firefighters to quickly and safely change into their fire gear, room to efficiently service the various fire and rescue trucks and room for personnel to move about in a facility they can be proud of that doesn't stink of diesel fuel or mold.

The $2.8 million construction project took about nine months and the workmanship proved to be top-notch, Marique said.

The building highlights include an expansive training room, a first-class kitchen and dining area, a dedicated changing room and a weight room soon to be completed. There's even a couple of sleeping rooms where staffers can rest during emergency staffing like during a severe snowstorm.

The modern, clean kitchen at the new station is a focal point for camaraderie and a far cry from what firefighters put up with at the old stationhouse.

In the vehicle bay area the addition of equipment that mitigates diesel fumes is another welcome addition, said Marique. The equipment allows for a hose to be attached to equipment tailpipes to vent the fumes outside and automatically detaches when the vehicle leaves the building.

Another plus at the new station is they have a laundry so they can clean uniforms inhouse and a separate area for detoxing uniforms and gear.

The new stationhouse also benefited from $150,000 in grant money from Homeland Security and Emergency Management that paid for the station's training room, the Emergency Management director's office, which doubles as the chief's office; a backup generator, and all the phones, dispatch equipment, computers and radio equipment.

More equipment for the exercise room and training room is expected next week, and they're still bringing some stuff over from the old building, but it's easy to see morale in Milton Fire and Rescue is at an all-time high.

"People really seem happy," Marique said.