I am writing to advise the members of our community that your volunteer fire department has taken it upon themselves to enter into a public/private partnership with the Montgomery County Government to enhance and rebuild the fire station on Falls Road in Potomac.
Built in 1970, this station was designed for two on-duty paid personnel and several sleep-in volunteers. The majority of the staffing responded to the station from home when the "House Siren", located in the Village of Potomac, sounded the alarm. Also, in those days the only two services provided were an ambulance and a pumper.
Almost 35 years later, not only has the siren become obsolete and was removed fifteen years ago, the station in its current configuration has also become a victim of the times. No longer can we adequately serve and protect our community operating out of a building that now is home to seven services and a constant around the clock crew of five, augmented by volunteers. Station 30 (9404 Falls Road) now provides an Advanced Life Support Unit (Medic Unit), a pumper, a heavy rescue squad, a Tanker (for areas with hydrants), a brush fire 4X4 truck, an airboat and two inflatable boats for water rescue.
With the current provision of six primary services from this station, coupled with the staffing needs for those services, the station is well beyond capacity. Additionally, the building is not only unisex throughout, it is not in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act for handicapped access.
In cooperation with the Montgomery County Government, we are finally renovating the structure to facilitate the needs for the housing of apparatus that is now either parked outside or in a temporary storage building (which in and of itself is unsightly). Further, we hope to provide a comfortable living environment and, in part, enhance the participation of volunteer personnel, vastly restricted from participating at the Falls Road station due to overcrowding.
Finally, the current station, which many have termed an eyesore, will integrate with the aesthetic fabric of the community. Much research and funding was committed toward the redesign of a station that will continue to appear a residential structure, architecturally befitting of the surrounding neighborhoods, much as the original building did back in 1970.
On behalf of the officers of the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department, I would like to thank our immediate neighbors for their patience and cooperation. Once completed, our community will be proud of the updated facility from which their fire and rescue services are delivered. I would also be remiss if not to mention the generous contributions made by many towards this project. This is the first time in department history that we have been forced to accept a debt, borrowing a hefty sum, in order to fulfill our continued obligation in serving the citizens of Potomac and the surrounding communities.