BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PIGEON ROOST — Pigeon Roost Volunteer Fire Department Chief Eric Jude received notification Monday that the training facility grant request he submitted to the Kentucky Fire Commission had been approved. The department is set to receive $10,000 to assist with renovations and additions to the upstairs portion of their fire station, a project that began earlier this year.
“We have been saving every penny possible through the past few months and budgeting what we could afford to begin the renovation project,” Jude said. “Due to the condition of the upstairs of the building, we were forced to do quite a bit of demolition, taking the walls down to the bare studs. We had gone as far as we could go on the funding available, so the news of our grant request being approved was definitely what we had hoped would happen. We can now continue our work without delay.”
Jude’s goal is to have all improvements and new construction finished before the end of September, barring any complications.
Jude says the new addition will include a common area complete with furnishings, including sleeping accommodations for occasions when firefighters must be on-site for extended periods. There will be two large storage closets, a half-bath, a kitchenette and an area for training and meetings that can accommodate 15-20 individuals.
“This project has been something we’ve always wanted to do and that our firefighters needed,” said Jude. “We have utilized the community center for all our meetings and training in the past. There will still be occasions when, due to the size of our classes, we will continue to do so, but our fire department board meetings and in-house training sessions will now take place upstairs.”
Jude reminds the public that the Pigeon Roost VFD welcomes new recruits. He encourages anyone interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter/first responder to visit the station, send him a message on the department’s Facebook page or contact him on his cell at 606-626-5405.
“There’s nothing more gratifying or rewarding than public service,” remarked Jude. “Becoming a part of the volunteer fire department is a great way to give back to your community.”
Pigeon Roost was one of 30 fire departments statewide to receive the grant.
