Excerpts from HeraldNews.com:
In 1960, Don “Randy†Randich stood in the newly built Lockport Township Fire Protection District Station 1, watching as his fellow firefighters celebrated its opening. Fast forward to 2017, and Randich was once again inside the same building—but this time, it was the new one. He sat there as the only surviving member of the original crew from the old station, reflecting on a long and proud career.
“I served for 42 years and went through six different chiefs,†Randich shared. “Back then, the station was considered one of the best in Illinois. This new building is incredible—it's beautiful. I came here today to reunite with my friends, like a big family.â€
The dedication ceremony for the new Station 1 took place on Friday morning, led by Chief David Skoryi, Capt. John Batusich, district trustees, current and former firefighters, an honor guard, officials, and community members. The event included a traditional hose and coupling ceremony, marking a significant milestone for the department.
The ceremony started at 10 a.m. with speeches from Skoryi and Batusich. Attendees then moved outside through the new bi-fold doors for a flag-raising ceremony, where the Lockport Township Firefighters Local #1544 Honor Guard raised the flags on poles attached to the building.
Following the flag ceremony, fire chaplain Rev. Mark Hein offered a prayer. Then, trustees Paul Siegel, Henry Meader, Dave Palya, Bill Kendziora, and Gordon McCluskey, along with union president Pat Kelly and Batusich, participated in the hose coupling ceremony, symbolizing the strength and unity of the fire department.
Chief Skoryi explained that in 2010, senior staff and the board decided the old building needed a major overhaul. Issues such as outdated sewer lines, electrical systems, HVAC, lack of space for modern vehicles, asbestos, and the need for gender-inclusive living quarters were identified. After consulting architects, they realized the costs would be close to building something entirely new, so the decision was made to rebuild.
Demolition began on May 25, 2016, with the ambulance crew temporarily relocated to Station 6 and the fire engine to Station 4. The new Station 1 was designed to blend in with the historical downtown area of Lockport. It features seven arches outside, representing the famous seven-arched bridge on Ninth Street. The apparatus room has bi-fold doors reminiscent of old firehouses, and instead of a traditional flagpole, the flags are mounted at an angle on the building’s exterior.
Inside, the station boasts state-of-the-art dispatch systems with red LED lights and digital sign boards. The rooms are larger, with heated floors in the apparatus area, and there's more space for larger emergency vehicles and a diesel exhaust capture system.
The original Station 1 had a long history. It first opened in the 100 block of East 10th Street in 1897, then moved to the Adelman Garage in 1902, followed by the City of Lockport Building from 1938 to 1960. Finally, it was relocated to its current location at 828 E. Ninth St., where it remained until the new building was completed.
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