“The Station is moving along pretty well.”
Fire Chief Ron Albini is speaking of the progress on the new fire station in Bodega.
Bodega's new firehouse coming along. Photos by Kathy Thompson.
“We are currently doing interior work in preparation for the plumbing and electrical,” he explained.
To the rear of the town’s post office, a silvery bright water storage tank has been put into place.
Water tank for new Bodega Firehouse.
Attached to a roof catchment system on the new firehouse, it will collect rainwater and can hold up to 35,000 gallons to be used for firefighting and training.
In the meanwhile, volunteers had to make some repairs to McCaughey Hall after it was damaged by a “hit and run” vehicle a couple of months ago.
With no note of responsibility or insurance information left behind, it has been up to the Bodega Volunteer Fire Department to pay for the repairs.
Repairs & new paint job completed.
McCaughey Hall is owned by the Department and has been part fire engine garage, part public meeting place since the land to build it was donated by Howard McCaughey some 60 years ago.
The old firehouse part of McCaughey Hall.
McCaughey, now deceased, once owned the General Store across the street. He also put up a share of the money needed to complete the Hall.
“They had much the same problem back then as we had – no place to park the fire trucks,” Albini said.
A new front window and a complete exterior paint job have really spruced it up.
As for when the new station will be finished, Albini said, “No dates have been set for a grand opening yet, but hopefully soon.”
The all-volunteer department functions on memberships, donations, and fundraisers only.
Last year, groundbreaking for the firehouse early in the year, followed by a fantastically fun and successful Big Event in August, were unfortunately followed by a wildfire just outside of town in September that critically burned one of their own, Ben Hakala.
The community of Bodega works tirelessly and it always needs the help of others.
Whether you “buy a brick,” become a member of the BVFD (no matter where you live), make a donation to the Ben Hakala Trust Fund, or attend one of the fundraising events held throughout each year, you can help.
Go to www.bodegafire.org to learn how.
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