By Kristin Guess
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
SHELL ROCK, Iowa — During emergency situations, each minute counts. This week, volunteer firefighters and first responders will be running full operations out of a new emergency services building designed to make the most of each moment.
More than 30 volunteers make up the firefighter and first response crews that keep Shell Rock and the surrounding communities safe by staying updated on training and acting quickly in emergency situations.
“More space is huge,” said Fire Chief Matt Mohn, who noted the old building had been in use since the fire department started almost 50 years ago.
For about 20 years, emergency crews have kicked around the idea of a new and more accessible home to run their search and rescue efforts. Previously, crews had to work around small spaces, including a six-by-six foot closet for medical supplies, and order reduced-size equipment to fit in the small entrances.
“The old fire station was just very much inadequate. We couldn’t even buy the right trucks because of height, door and ceiling (spaces),” said Shell Rock Mayor Larry Young.
But finding a location and funding for the project was difficult, he said.
“Everything fell together at the right time. The land was donated to us by Hank and Rita Wilson and the Feldmeier Corp., that was a nice start,” said Young. “From that, we went into a very heavy fundraising project ... to get the job done, and everybody kind of did what they do best.”
In September 2014, Robyn Holden launched the fundraising operation in honor of her father, Mike Schuldt Sr., who served on the fire department in its early years in the 1960s, her brother, Michael Schuldt, and nephew Garrett Schuldt, volunteers of 46 and 21 years, respectively.
“I know how much the firemen have wanted this,” Holden said.
The bid went out at $850,000 and the rural townships surrounding Shell Rock all contributed, Holden said. The city and rural areas kicked in $550,000, and “we fundraised $450,000,” Holden said.
“We tried to keep it in the forefront of the communities’ mind. This was a very strong community supported project,” she said. “I think people are very happy with the end product.”
The new headquarters, at 513 N. Cherry St., are in a prime spot — close to the highway and with room to expand in the future if needed.
“It’s really going to allow for a better response, the location in town and the fact that all the trucks will have their own door,” said First Responder Crew Chief Dave Green.
The year-long construction project concluded this month. The facility features a large bay area for all vehicles and equipment. A kitchen, office, storage area and bathrooms with showers were added.
The Janet C. Bement Community Room, named after the project’s largest donor, will serve as a training area and space for community events. It also will act as an emergency disaster shelter during catastrophic events.
“The amount of space will open up a lot more possibilities as far as adding more equipment and training in the winter time,” said Green.
State regulations have increased the amount of time volunteers need to spend training, according to Young. The added space will allow crews to train new and existing volunteers inside year-round, whereas training was previously only held outdoors.
“It’s not a terrible thing, but on a volunteer aspect it adds a lot more time. It’s hard to get people to want to volunteer when it takes more time,” Mohn said.
He and Green hope this, in turn, will attract more volunteers.
“We’re a pretty small crew, so it puts more pressure on the few of us that are here that respond,” Green said.
The mayor noted the space is suitable for the crews to grow for at least another 50 years.
“It shows a sign of progress. If you don’t have that ... if you don’t show some progress, people are not going to be willing to contribute and get behind the town. ... It makes the town come across a lot better from a progressive standpoint,” Young said.
Copyright 2016 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier