Algoma Fire and Rescue dedicates new station

ALGOMA – A unique firehouse-cutting ceremony was held Saturday at Algoma’s new fire station on Sunset Avenue in the city’s industrial park.

Algoma Mayor James Winter, an 18-year EMT/paramedic (retired) of Algoma Fire and Rescue, called the grand opening and dedication — years in the making — a significant milestone in the city’s history.
“This modern, dedicated space was truly needed,” Winter said. “This is a safer, larger and more efficient home for the first responders and the equipment required.”

Algoma Fire and Rescue Chief Tom Ackerman thanked Bayland Buildings, Inc., along with subcontractors, past and present city council members, mayors, city staff and citizens on the ad hoc committee for all their hard work and advocacy for the firefighters and EMTs.

“We have an outstanding group of fire and EMS personnel in this department,” he said. “We’re like one big family. We’re here for each other, in times of sorrow and times of joy.”

After years of frustration, this was a joy-filled celebration, complete with cake and refreshments.
Hundreds of people toured the new facility, which replaces the current building located at the corner of 3rd and State Streets. The Algoma City Council recently accepted a bid of $150,000 to proceed with the sale of the now “old” fire station and its extremely tight quarters.

Ackerman said Saturday there were a couple minor things to wrap up in the new facility with the electrical and air system, but fire and rescue personnel were expecting to move all the trucks and equipment by this weekend.

A city-directed space assessment in May, 2020, found what fire and rescue personnel already knew: a larger, safer space was needed. Five years of planning and design, two failed referendums, and ultimately, creating a plan for the funding led to a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 23, 2025.

“It was taxing on a lot of us,” Ackerman said. “To get through the hurdles and to get to this point today, where we’re able to celebrate this new facility, I couldn’t be more pleased. To see the community support here today, it’s amazing.”

The new 19,000-plus-square-foot building was projected to cost $3.9 million, but it was a six-figure donation from Terry Fulwiler that Ackerman credits for getting the ball rolling.

“In my heart, I believe because of Terry’s generous contribution, it put us over the top,” Ackerman said. “I think when the council saw that you have people willing to have a stake in this game, that was a game-changer.”

The new facility has more than 11,000 square feet of drive-through apparatus bays and a wash bay, providing room for emergency vehicles, equipment and maintenance. There’s 5,800 square feet of office space, meeting rooms and dedicated space for EMS and fire and rescue personnel, and a 2,000-square-foot mezzanine for additional space needs.

“In the past, if outside EMS personnel were needed for a weekend shift, they had to sleep on a couch or a chair, and there was no shower,” Ackerman said. “This is a tremendous upgrade. It allows us to function more reasonably and safely.”

Among the many other pluses, Ackerman mentioned being able to wash the emergency vehicles indoors; the ability to fill tankers inside in winter instead of doing so out in the elements at one of the many designated fill sites; storage space and room to work on equipment indoors; a dormitory area with a place to sleep, a kitchen and offices; and ADA accessibility.

Ultimately, Ackerman said the new building was for the men and women who serve the city and surrounding townships of Ahnapee, Lincoln and Pierce. He thanked them for their unwavering dedication and commitment.

“You’re there when the people need you,” he said.

Instead of a ribbon-cutting, the department sacrificed an old firehose, cutting it with a saw that was part of a set of extrication equipment purchased for $45,000 from fire and rescue fundraising efforts.

“Flipping burgers and cooking pancakes, and all the other stuff,” Ackerman said. “We bought a $10,000 turnout gear dryer with funds our group raised, too. That’s not going to stop. We look forward to having people at our new station.”

As for off-site fundraising, such as during events like the annual car show downtown near the old station, Ackerman said that’s to be determined.

“We have tents and everything we’d need to set up in that area,” he said. “We’ll make those decisions next year.”