Vernon Township Fire Station 432 had its official ribbon cutting Aug. 17, 2023.
MCCORDSVILLE — With big smiles and even bigger scissors, officials from all over came together to cut the ribbon of Vernon Township Fire Station 432, signifying that it is officially open for business.
In the bay area of Fire Station 432, many officials and others sat, gathered to celebrate the final step of a long process. Construction on the station first began in August 2022 after The Vernon Township Building Corporation closed on $7,120,000 in bonds during November 2021. This covered the purchase of the land, the equipment that is needed inside the station and architecture by DELV Design and GARMONG Construction, both in attendance for the ribbon cutting.
The new station is the first 24/7 station in McCordsville and is located on 6091 W 900 N, near the township’s two highest-run locations — Traditions, an assisted living facility, and Meijer.
Before the opening of the new station, firefighters were providing 24/7 duties out of the volunteer station on Form Street.
Florence May, trustee for Vernon Township and president of the board for Vernon Township Fire Territory shared that the fire territory is what allowed them to get to this point and that one of the first people to help was State. Sen. Micheal Crider, R-Greenfield.
Crider spent 30 years as a conservation officer and mentioned how much the area has changed since he started his work in the 1980s with the growth and population increase, so he was not surprised when there was a need for a new full-time station for McCordsville.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here and really acknowledge this milestone,” Crider said.
Crider also mentioned that one of the items he’s been honored to work on is the hidden dangers to fire service, such as chemicals that are known to cause cancer and the accumulated stress.
“We want to make sure you watch out for yourselves and your colleagues,” Crider said.
Fire Station 432 features a laundry room with a washer and lockers for gear, which allows firefighters to wash their gear and place it somewhere before entering the living facilities — creating separation to help prevent the spread of any dangerous chemicals.
Greg Brewer, McCordsville Town Council president, thanked many people involved in the process, stating “this is a historical day for the town of McCordsville,” which included a thanks to fire chief of Vernon Township Fire Department Mark Elder for his leadership.
“It’s been a long time coming. This station meets our needs today, and I feel it will meet our needs for the long foreseeable future,” Elder said. “Providing fire protection on both sides of the railroad.”
Before the cutting of the ribbon, the station made the official announcement to the town they were officially opened on Aug.17.
Tours will be offered to the public on Sept. 30. Details will be announced at a later date.
