Wednesday, November 5, 2025
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Serving Kosciusko County and parts of Elkhart, Marshall & Noble Counties Know Your Neighbor . . . . . 2➤ Veterans Day . . . . . . . . 7-11
Vol. 55, No. 19
Milford (574) 658-4111 • Warsaw (574) 269-2932 • Syracuse (574) 457-3666
114 W. Market, Warsaw, Indiana 46580
TRAINING FACILITY — Don Lehman, fire chief, is shown in the fire station’s training facility, which has three stories.
STATE-OF-THE-ART KITCHEN — Ali Norton, a firefighter/ paramedic, and Ember the dog are shown in the fire station’s stateof-the-art kitchen. The kitchen, including the gas range connected to the department’s system, shuts itself off if there is a fire call.
New state-of-the-art
Nappanee Fire Station opens Text and Photos By DEB PATTERSON Editor-In-Chief and PHOEBE MUTHART Editor It was years in the making . A new fire station was unveiled Sunday afternoon, Oct . 12, marking the formal dedication of the new Nappanee Fire Station, located at 1109 N . Main St . “We are gathered here today to dedicate more than just a building . We’re dedicating a new chapter in our commitment to the safety and well-being of our community,” Nappanee Mayor Phil Jenkins told invited guests that day . “This building represents more than just brick and mortar . It’s part of a long fight by volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians serving the people of Nappanee in their greatest times of need .” The new station was a long time coming . For 55 years, Nappanee’s previous fire station served the community faithfully . He called the state-of-the-art facility the result of countless hours of planning, collaboration and dedication from many individuals .
For over 150 years, the Nappanee Fire Department has provided fire protection for the city and surrounding communities, said Fire Chief Don Lehman . “With this new station, our emergency services will provide quicker response times and even better service to those we serve,” he said . He said here was an eightyear effort leading to the new facility . He added that the station offers modern, state-of-the-art equipment to support the health and safety of first responders . The new station and property cost $12 million . The building itself cost $10 million . No taxpayer money was used to fund the station, said Lehman . There are eight new dorms for employees to sleep and shower . A fitness room is also available to the employees complete with treadmills and weights . The increase in fire runs is one of the factors for a new facility . Situated on Main Street, south of downtown, the new station provides quick, easy access to Nappanee and surrounding townships .
VISITING THE NEW STATION — Walker June Grover, seated, stopped by to drop off some goodies for the firefighters and EMTs last week and to see Nappanee’s new fire station. This replica of the original Smokey Stover vehicle sits in the entry of the station. Also shown from left are Monte Flowers, paramedic; Don Lehman, fire chief; Ali Norton, firefighter/paramedic; and Nick Graff, firefighter and EMT. “We’ve had 935 ambulance calls so far this year, said Lehman . “As for fire runs, we’ve had 200 to 240 so far .” He added, “Some have been waiting 22 years, as promised, for a facility they can now call home,” he said . “Full-time responders work 24- or 48-hour shifts, spending one-third of their lives here . This is not only a fire station - it’s a firehouse .” The new facility now houses two departments . The two
units used to be in two separate buildings . ”For the first time in department history, both fire and EMS crews will be responding from a central station,” Lehman said . Lehman was onsite during the construction almost on a daily basis, which took 13 months to complete . At the ceremony, Lehman was given a surprise only his family and friends knew - a training tower was dedicated to Leh-
man . Jenkins unveiled a plaque at the ceremony, dedicating the tower to Lehman . It hangs on a wall at the station . Lehman said he was humbled by the honor, the turnout and the community’s support for the project . “We had a tremendous response that day . We had thousands of people here . I just want to thank the public for its support . It’s a real asset to the community,” Lehman smiled .