Building age and space are making for cramped quarters for both Adair Volunteer Fire and EMS personnel, as well as their equipment. A social media effort kicked-off in August to try and resolve those problems through a fundraiser. Their goal is to raise $170,000. Adair Fire Chief Kelby Smith says their current building is actually two different buildings in one. One side was built back in the 1930’s, while the other was constructed in the 1970’s.

The current building is 120-by 40-feet, and has 13-foot doors. The south side of the current building has issues with mold, and failing stucco, while the north side is nearing middle age, and isn’t big enough for the newer equipment. Smith says “trucks aren’t getting any smaller as the years go on,” and the building is aging to the point where it’s putting the equipment at risk of functioning improperly when it’s needed most. He says for instance, that the building isn’t efficient at keeping fire trucks – which hold water – from freezing up, because they let a lot of outside air in, through creaks and leaks.

The department and the Adair Fire Board have decided to just replace the entire building with a new one, which ideally, would be 120-feet long by 60-feet wide. Smith says it will have three 16-by 13-foot doors, an open concept so people can see from one end to the other, a kitchen,  meeting room and offices, and updated restrooms. Smith says also, they’d like to hold, or help host more community events in the new building, and have rooms to keep their medical and other supplies under lock and key.

The Adair Volunteer Fire Department serves the City of Adair and the surrounding rural areas. Their staff roster includes 30 firefighter/EMT’s, and their current facility houses one ambulance, two pumper trucks, one each Tanker, Grass unit and Crash unit, as well as a grain bin rescue trailer.

Smith says any donation, from One-dollar to 100-dollars is greatly appreciated. For more information, see Adair Fire & Rescue New Building Project on Facebook, or contact Chief Kelby Smith by email at kksmith7405@gmail.com.