Excitement filled North Main Street as Nappanee celebrated the opening of its new fire station. After a dedication ceremony and open house on Sunday, Oct. 12, hundreds of residents and area fire leaders toured the state-of-the-art facility at 1109 N. Main Street, getting a firsthand look at the city’s latest investment in public safety.
A Needed Upgrade
The new multi-million-dollar station replaces the city’s former firehouse, which served Nappanee for 55 years and had long outgrown the department’s needs.
“This has been a long time coming,” Nappanee Mayor Phil Jenkins says. “Eight years ago, we started exploring how we could merge fire and EMS operations under one roof. This new facility is the result of collaboration, careful planning, and input from our entire community.”
With Safety In Mind
Designed by DS Architecture/K2M Design, with Weigand Construction serving as general contractor, the new station represents a significant investment in Nappanee’s emergency response capabilities and infrastructure.
The new facility includes a training tower, eight dorm rooms for full-time firefighters, five two-deep apparatus bays, and a state-of-the-art ventilation system designed to remove diesel fumes and contaminants, improving firefighter health and safety.
“This system provides a safer environment and reduces exposure to harmful materials brought back from fire scenes,” Nappanee Fire Chief Don Lehman says.
An Iconic “Foo” Fighter
The station also pays homage to Nappanee’s unique firehouse heritage. The Smokey Stover logo, inspired by the comic-strip fireman created by Bill Holman, who grew up in Nappanee, is proudly displayed throughout the building.
In 1962, Nappanee Fire received permission from Holman to use the character, cementing Smokey Stover as the department’s beloved mascot. Visitors entering the new station are greeted by a replica of Smokey’s playful “Foo” car, with comic panels adorning the walls of the station’s training room.
“The opening of this facility marks a milestone in Nappanee’s continued investment in public safety, innovation, and community pride,” Mayor Jenkins says.
The new Nappanee Fire Station officially began operations on Monday, Oct. 13.
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