Fire Station
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Open letter to the community June 2007
Dear Friends and Neighbors in the Silver City Fire District:
The Silver City Volunteer Fire Department’s main mission is to protect our community from wild land and structure
fires. The department is formed by volunteer citizens, and the 42 square miles of our district includes your home as
well as 149 others. The fire station is essential to the core of this mission and one of our three community buildings.
History of the Fire Station
The fire station began as a single bay building to house one truck. It was dedicated in 1964 with 50 people
attending the event. The concrete roof slab on the building came from a discarded section of the old bridge.
In the late 70's another bay was added to house a second truck. Funds for this addition were raised from a
rummage sale that netted the town a whopping $705.
The Fire Station today
In 2006 alone, Silver City volunteer fire fighters responded to 10 fire incidents in our district. Four of those occurred
within three miles of Silver City. The department operates two brush trucks and one tender and is equipped with
the necessary gear to protect the volunteers while getting the job done. Silver City is the only volunteer fire
department in Pennington County that does not tax its community and relies exclusively on donations and
community fund raising to operate. We are all drawn to the area for the beauty of the hills and simplified living.
The practice of neighbors helping neighbors is one of the cornerstones of the community that we love.
The Construction Project
Through a county program in 2004, the department acquired a new, larger brush truck and more needed
equipment. The existing building no longer adequately or effectively houses the large trucks and improved
equipment. We currently find ourselves in need of expanding the building.
For nine months, members of the community have diligently worked on preparing a budget, materials lists,
drawings, and planning the construction. Several applications for federal and state grants were pursued but
unfortunately no monies were available to fund the project. We are therefore encouraging community participation
to raise the $26,000 needed to build the addition. We are thankful that many neighbors have already offered to
assist with labor and expertise during construction.
The new addition requires dismantling the existing northernmost small bay (with dirt floor and poor drainage) and
adding two new north-facing bays to accommodate both engines (a 26x32 insulated addition). By having the bays
face north, the trucks will enter and exit the station by way of the Forest Service Road instead of Sherman Street.
This is a more efficient configuration for their use and will enhance the appearance of this one of three treasured
community buildings.
The expanded station will feature bays large enough to allow the trucks to freely exit and enter quickly. It will
provide needed storage space for fire equipment. Additionally, it will include overhead electric supply, a new steel
roof and driveway.
Drawing renditions and plans are available for viewing at the Fire Station community notice board at the front of the
Fire Station on Sherman Street. The estimated cost for the expansion is $26,000. You are being asked to help
realize this project by generously donating money, time and / or labor to the Silver City Volunteer Fire Department
in this capital fundraiser. Please help the Volunteers protect our homes.
Thank you on behalf of the Silver City Volunteer Fire Department.
Todd Tobin, President Silver City Board Tally Chapman, SCVFD Fire Chief
Donations made payable to the Silver City Volunteer Fire Department in any amount! All will be gladly accepted. Each donation of
$50 or more will place a single name on a dated commemorative plaque affixed to the building. You may and are encouraged to
make multiple donations in your own name, or in honor of a friend or relative, past and present. Anonymous donations are also
welcomed. All residents of Silver City are honored with every volunteer action.
Dear Friends and Neighbors in the Silver City Fire District:
The Silver City Volunteer Fire Department’s main mission is to protect our community from wild land and structure
fires. The department is formed by volunteer citizens, and the 42 square miles of our district includes your home as
well as 149 others. The fire station is essential to the core of this mission and one of our three community buildings.
History of the Fire Station
The fire station began as a single bay building to house one truck. It was dedicated in 1964 with 50 people
attending the event. The concrete roof slab on the building came from a discarded section of the old bridge.
In the late 70's another bay was added to house a second truck. Funds for this addition were raised from a
rummage sale that netted the town a whopping $705.
The Fire Station today
In 2006 alone, Silver City volunteer fire fighters responded to 10 fire incidents in our district. Four of those occurred
within three miles of Silver City. The department operates two brush trucks and one tender and is equipped with
the necessary gear to protect the volunteers while getting the job done. Silver City is the only volunteer fire
department in Pennington County that does not tax its community and relies exclusively on donations and
community fund raising to operate. We are all drawn to the area for the beauty of the hills and simplified living.
The practice of neighbors helping neighbors is one of the cornerstones of the community that we love.
The Construction Project
Through a county program in 2004, the department acquired a new, larger brush truck and more needed
equipment. The existing building no longer adequately or effectively houses the large trucks and improved
equipment. We currently find ourselves in need of expanding the building.
For nine months, members of the community have diligently worked on preparing a budget, materials lists,
drawings, and planning the construction. Several applications for federal and state grants were pursued but
unfortunately no monies were available to fund the project. We are therefore encouraging community participation
to raise the $26,000 needed to build the addition. We are thankful that many neighbors have already offered to
assist with labor and expertise during construction.
The new addition requires dismantling the existing northernmost small bay (with dirt floor and poor drainage) and
adding two new north-facing bays to accommodate both engines (a 26x32 insulated addition). By having the bays
face north, the trucks will enter and exit the station by way of the Forest Service Road instead of Sherman Street.
This is a more efficient configuration for their use and will enhance the appearance of this one of three treasured
community buildings.
The expanded station will feature bays large enough to allow the trucks to freely exit and enter quickly. It will
provide needed storage space for fire equipment. Additionally, it will include overhead electric supply, a new steel
roof and driveway.
Drawing renditions and plans are available for viewing at the Fire Station community notice board at the front of the
Fire Station on Sherman Street. The estimated cost for the expansion is $26,000. You are being asked to help
realize this project by generously donating money, time and / or labor to the Silver City Volunteer Fire Department
in this capital fundraiser. Please help the Volunteers protect our homes.
Thank you on behalf of the Silver City Volunteer Fire Department.
Todd Tobin, President Silver City Board Tally Chapman, SCVFD Fire Chief
Donations made payable to the Silver City Volunteer Fire Department in any amount! All will be gladly accepted. Each donation of
$50 or more will place a single name on a dated commemorative plaque affixed to the building. You may and are encouraged to
make multiple donations in your own name, or in honor of a friend or relative, past and present. Anonymous donations are also
welcomed. All residents of Silver City are honored with every volunteer action.
Update
Fire station construction is scheduled to start in the Spring of 2008. The plan calls for two additional full-size bays
located just North of the existing structure. The two new bays will be facing North rather than West and will be
able to accommodate the department's larger trucks. Uhl Donovan (Assitant Fire Chief) will be coordinating the
construction project. Community residents will be assisting in the construction. If you are interested in
contributing time, expertise, or equipment please contact Fire Chief Tally Chapman at 574-2177. This is an exciting
time and we look forward to all working together to create a wonderful community fire hall!
Fire station construction is scheduled to start in the Spring of 2008. The plan calls for two additional full-size bays
located just North of the existing structure. The two new bays will be facing North rather than West and will be
able to accommodate the department's larger trucks. Uhl Donovan (Assitant Fire Chief) will be coordinating the
construction project. Community residents will be assisting in the construction. If you are interested in
contributing time, expertise, or equipment please contact Fire Chief Tally Chapman at 574-2177. This is an exciting
time and we look forward to all working together to create a wonderful community fire hall!