The Russellville Rural Fire Department substation in Corinth, which began collecting funds in 2011 to help pay for the station, is still on-going and according to Rural Fire Chief Cheryl Allen, the project is top priority for the department.
The substation project began in part, because a lot of people were asking the department about putting a fire station out Hwy. 100 due to the difficulty some were having getting fire protection insurance in that area. The department felt the situation warranted looking into, and after realizing it could benefit a large portion of the county, they decided to help.
The substation, when built, will be located at Corinth across from the church on two and a half acres donated by Peter and Sandra Rogers Gacio in memory of Dorris D.T. Rogers.
“There have been several folks asking about the progress of this station. We are still working diligently on this project,” said Allen. “This project is the number one priority of the Russellville Rural Fire Department, but as you know we are a non-profit organization and like all non-profits, we rely on donations for the support of our work. As the chief of the department I want to say a big thank-you on behalf of the firefighters to all the people who have donated to this project and the support we get for the rural department. Our community is awesome.”
Currently, the department is waiting on a reply for a grant it has applied for to build the station. They already have a small amount of money in the bank from donations and fundraisers. The department is hoping to hear about the grant very soon.
“I have been in contact with them and we are still in the running for the money. So with this being said, if the grant comes through, we will be able to build a nice station in the Corinth area to help with insurance cost and better protect this area of our county,” said Allen.
Allen said if in the next month or so the department is not successful with the grant option, they will build the station anyway, only at a slower pace.
“We will have to rely on fundraisers and we have discussed with our board the option of borrowing the money and paying it off as we receive money from donations. This station will happen and you will see work on it during the year one way or the other,” Allen said.
In the near future bids will be put out for the substation construction.
“I assure you we are working on this project with diligence. We will be having more fund raisers this year. It just takes time when it comes to making things like this happen when you are depending on others to fund it. We are very hopeful that the grant will happen and ask that all of you pray that this happens, so we can begin to move forward at a rapid pace to help you with the protection of your community,” said Allen.
If you have any questions or would like to make a donation to this project, please call Allen at 221-0357.
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