New Fire House Construction Takes Another Step Toward Completion

PARSIPPANY, NJ—Construction on the new Mt. Tabor Volunteer Fire Department station took a big step towards completion this week, with the pouring of concrete at the site of the $5 million project.

“The concrete being poured for each floor is huge,” said Mt. Tabor Fire Chief Bryan Crawford, who added that the new facility will be approximately 12,000 sq. feet.

Crawford said residents will get more than just a new fire house once construction is finished. The building is designed to function as a short-term shelter, with appropriate shower and kitchen facilities, and will be fully ADA compliant.

"We want the community to know that we're there for them if things go wrong," Crawford said.

The chief said an added benefit of the new building was that it would enable local emergency services to better integrate and work together.

“We teamed up with the town and we'll have one of the ambulances there,” Crawford said. “So they’ll have a climate-controlled bay to keep the ambulance in, and it will be great to have them right there."

Parsippany EMS Chief Dean Snook said having a permanent home for the equipment and staff is important to strengthening the already-good cooperation between the agencies.

“This will definitely solidify the great relationship with the fire department,” said Snook. “And it will enable us all to provide a higher level of service to the community when everything goes smoothly."

The new station, located on Tabor Road, will hold up to four fire apparatus when completed. Crawford said the department is hoping construction wraps up late this year or in early 2021.