The City of St. Ignace has requested about $1.5 million in federal grant money for a new fire station that will better accommodate the fire department's needs. The current space on the first floor of the Municipal Building is too small to house all of its equipment or safely train its staff, according to Fire Chief John "Bucky" Robinson. Certain equipment, like the department's hazardous materials truck, is housed elsewhere and firefighter training often needs to be conducted at Little Bear East Arena or at the school, owing to a lack of space at the firehall.

The current facility is 2,564 square feet with all areas included, and Chief Robinson said firefighters have difficulty maintaining vehicles and equipment and even maneuvering through this space. Another problem with the downtown building is that if the department obtained a new class A engine, for which it has also requested funding, the truck simply wouldn't fit through the garage door.

The fire department is planning a 12,000-square-foot facility that would include seven bays, an inner and outer office, a backup generator, and a room devoted as a classroom for firefighter training .

Two properties are being looked at for the facility, one near the intersection of Chambers and North Marley streets, owned by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and one across from the water tower on North Marley Street, owned by the city.

Captain Bryce Tracy said the MDOT property is preferable because of its proximity to major roadways like Business Loop I- 75, I-75, and US-2, and because city services are already available on the property. Water and sewer aren't already available at the other location, which would add to the cost.

City Manager Eric Dodson said he has approached MDOT about turning the land over to the city. The agency is receptive to the idea, he said, but has made no official decision.

This new facility would give the fire department the room it needs to hold current equipment, Mr. Tracy said, and allow for possible growth.

The firehall grant application is to be submitted this week and a response is expected any time from this fall to next spring. The informal team that has been working on this and the truck grant includes Chief Robinson, Assistant Chief Gary Sorenson, Captain Steve Paquin, Mr. Tracy, and Mr. Dodson.

If the city's request is denied, Chief Robinson said they would have to make the best of their current space. If the request for firehall funding is denied but the funding for a new engine is granted, the entrance to the current fire station will need to be modified.

Funds are requested through Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grant program. Part of the approximately $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed into law in February, the grant provides $210 million to fire departments for building new or modifying current fire stations.

Between 5,000 and 10,000 applications are anticipated for this particular grant program, but only about 100 grants can be issued with the $210 million available, according to Homeland Security.