Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department is launching a capital campaign to build a new station that will bring it up to code and provide safer conditions for emergency responders.
CINDY HOFFMAN/BAYSIDE GAZETTE

(Feb. 2, 2023) In 2022, the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department (OPVFD) responded to 345 fire and 1,888 EMS calls. The department serves approximately 6,000 homes and numerous businesses along 79 miles of roadways.

The firefighters and EMS staff serving Ocean Pines and the surrounding area do what they must to keep the community safe and they do it from a fire station that has been in operation since 1981.

But despite updates in 1985 and 1987, the South Station Fire House, it is in desperate need of either a full makeover or replacement, according to fire department officials.

“The building does not comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and county building codes due to its age,” said OPVFD President Dave Van Gasbeck.

Storage and safety are two major issues at the firehouse. There is not enough room for all of their trucks, with some being parked outside. Because fire truck pumps will freeze if they are stored outside, other emergency vehicles must be left in the parking lot.

Firefighting equipment is currently stored in the apparatus bay, along with the fire trucks. Van Gasbeck says the bays are not equipped with a proper ventilation system, which means that all of the firefighting gear is subject to exhaust, fumes and humidity. The gear is also not protected from UV rays, which are one of the leading causes of gear deterioration.

According to a report by Manns Woodward Studios, the station should have a dedicated decontamination room and decon toilet off the bay, which would prevent potentially hazardous materials from entering other areas of the fire house.

This would also allow for cleaning of equipment on site, saving downtime between calls and cleanings. The current situation means that firefighters are consistently exposed to the “off-gassing” gear.

“Off-gassing” means the toxic fumes and gases that are produced by the mix of chemicals that accumulate on firefighting gear at the scene of an incident and are then released back at the station.

A report released in January by the International Association of Fire Fighters reveals that occupational cancer is now the leading cause of death among firefighters. Not only is a decontamination room important for firefighting gear, but it’s also critical to the health of the firefighters and other emergency responders.

A small room attached to the bays provides open storage for medical supplies, which should be more secured. Sheds behind the station house provide additional storage for more seasonal equipment. Other equipment is stored in mechanical and electrical closets.

Another issue is that doors throughout the building swing in inconsistent directions. One door to a bathroom swings out into the path of response from the training and administration offices, which could lead to a collision as members respond to an emergency call. This adds obstacles to a crowded response path, costing time.

Van Gasbeck says the station also has issues with mold as the small kitchen floods during heavy rains, and the oldest section of the building has sunk two inches.

Volunteer firefighters overnight at the fire station. The sleeping conditions are basic. One bunk room is available with no separation between men and women. It is located between the day room and the kitchen, two rooms that are heavily utilized, with little acoustical separation. Van Gasbeck believes a separate quiet area for sleeping and studying would be more accommodating for volunteers, especially those with day jobs or who are going to school.

It is hoped that the capital campaign for a new station will be complete in 12 months. The design and location have not yet been determined.

“Fundraising is the big push now,” said Van Gasbeck. He wants to have a large percentage of the money in the door before awarding the contract and breaking ground later this year.

They have already received a grant for $1.35 million from the state of Maryland and $350,000 in bonds authorized from the state and have $1 million in savings.

Stacey Wisener and Valerie Mann have been brought on to do the fundraising. Wisener, who lives in Salisbury, has raised money for the Delmarva Discovery Center and Museum and the Salisbury Zoo. Mann, who lives in Fruitland, has extensive experience in grant writing for cities, counties, law enforcement agencies and fire departments.

Weisner says, “We get paid if we do well, we get a percentage [of the money raised], so there is no risk to the community.”

Wisener says, “Fundraising is a contact sport. This will take time and effort.  She will be contacting businesses in the area and identifying key stakeholders.”

“This is an investment in the community,” said Wisener. “We are marketing a dire need. When I toured the fire station, the need was quite obvious.”

She said members of the community can help, especially those who have benefited from the fire department or EMS services, by sharing stories of their experience with Ocean Pines first responders. And residents and businesses can help by donating to support the fundraising campaign.

“I don’t think it is a difficult sell,” said Weisner. “People understand the need for it.  When you drive by, you might not be sure what the need is, but when you go inside it is painfully obvious.”

Weisner said she is eager to come out and talk to local community groups and engage them in the fundraising effort.

She can be reached at staceyweisner@yahoo.com.