The North Judson Fire Department plans to commemorate their old firehouse with a monument in front of the new building. At Monday night’s North Judson Town Council meeting, Fire Chief Joe Leszek explained that some material from the old firehouse was retrieved during the demolition process.
Leszek told members, “When the old firehouse was torn down, some of our members went over there and we salvaged some of the limestone and it was always our plan to build a small little memorial wall.”
Chief Leszek said that Brian Allen Masonry is the company being utilized to erect the wall in front of the flagpole outside the new fire station.
In addition to informing members about the memorial wall, Leszek stated that members of the department are constantly working to find and apply for grants in order to bring in some extra funds.
He announced the Starke County Community Foundation recently awarded the department a grant worth $5,673.75 and mentioned they’re currently waiting to hear back about whether or not they’ve received a $3,500 grant from Starke United.
Leszek explained that last year with grant money received through the Community Foundation and REMC, the department was able to purchase new brush and extrication suits. They’re planning to use the grant money this year to buy boots and gloves for the suits.
Leszek added that the department has acquired more than $11,000 in grant funding that they’ve been able to use to supplement their budget at no cost to the town. He said they will continue to seek out those opportunities in order to keep money coming in for needed equipment and potential fire station additions, such as a new sign.
