West Athens Lime Street officially opens new firehouse

ATHENS―An early 75th anniversary present was officially opened Saturday by the West Athens Lime Street Fire Company.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the department’s new firehouse at 921 Schoharie Turnpike, with volunteers, citizens and dignitaries helping to mark nearly three score and fifteen years of service.

“It is a very special day for our fire district, our fire company and our community,” said John P. Farrell Jr., fire district chairman.

“This project represents nearly twelve years of planning, hard work and dedication. But the story of this new fire station actually begins many years earlier,” Farrell said.

Farrell told how Iroquois Pipeline donated five acres of land to the fire district in 2002. The site has been used as a district office since then, getting transformed into what is now a highly professional home for firefighters.

“This station was designed with the next generation of firefighters in mind, and we are proud to say that the next generation is already here,” Farrell said.

“They are learning. They are training. And one day, they will become the leaders of our fire service,” he added.

“This station allows us to keep our equipment safely inside, provides a safer environment for our firefighters responding to calls and includes a decontamination room for our members when needed,” Farrell said.

“I can still remember past chairman Norm Fuller saying, ‘A fire district is nothing without a fire company and a fire company is nothing without a fire district.’ Those words have always stayed with me,” he said.

Farrell thanked Congressman Josh Riley, in attendance at the event, for securing a $1 million grant, greatly assisting the funding obligation.

“I remember the first time I came to the West Athens firehouse. Only two trucks could fit through the door of the old station,” Riley said.

“But what struck me the most was not the brick and mortar realities. What I saw was a community that is tight knit, putting their heart and soul into each other and everyone in the community,” Riley recalled.

“The whole country could learn a lot from the people right here in this room. We need to make sure communities like Athens are not overlooked, giving all our first responders the support they deserve,” Riley said.

Farrell further recognized the backing of Senator Michelle Hinchey who provided $200,000 for the project, making “a meaningful difference.”

Greene County Sheriff Pete Kusminsky was among the guest speakers, noting that a “firehouse is more than a building. It is a place of service, sacrifice, courage and commitment.”

“When the alarm sounds, firefighters don’t ask who needs help, what time it is or whether it’s convenient. They answer the call,” said Kusminsky.

Moving ever forward to their 75th anniversary, Farrell said, “our taxpayers have also played an important role in making all of this possible.

“Today, we are once again under one roof, and we will continue working together to serve our taxpayers and our community whenever we are needed,” Farrell said.

The company, formed in 1952, will also be serving as host for the Greene County Volunteer Firemen’s Association convention in the fall of 2027.