The fire chief of a small volunteer crew in Washington County said excitement surrounding the department is growing.
Waylan Schultz credits plans for a new fire station.
Demolition started this week at the old Ainsworth Fire Station, located right along Highway 92. The new station will be at the same site and should open by the end of the year.
“Ideally before snow flies, hopefully, early December we can have our trucks back inside,” Schultz said.
Plans have been in the works for years. Fundraising was the biggest challenge and a $330,000 grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation awarded this summer made the difference.
The volunteer department is also growing, adding three new members since January.
“We're actually up to 21 and hopefully 22 in the near future,” Schultz said. “So we've been gaining new members.