Holiday Park, Renton VFDs Look to Expand

The Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department in Plum is going to get bigger in the next couple of months—all in time for the department's 50th anniversary.

Renton Volunteer Fire Department also is hoping to expand soon.

An addition currently is being constructed adjacent to the existing Holiday Park VFD structure along Route 286 and Abers Creek Road.

The new two-story addition will have two truck bays, a laundry facility, sleeping quarters, a kitchen, an office, a day room for firefighters, restrooms and a locker room.

Holiday Park fire Chief Larry Glass said fire department members have been working on plans for about four years.

"We've run out of room," Glass said.

The $1.2 million project—paid for by fundraising money—should be complete by June.

It's something the department is very proud of.

"A lot of people think that our supplies and projects are paid for," said Robin Schuster, president of Holiday Park VFD. "We get some help from the borough, but the rest of it is earned through fundraising."

The fire department currently has 30 volunteer members—21 are active members—and 16 emergency medical technicians.

Glass said the department averages about 1,000 calls a year. That's why they need new junior members to join.

"As the senior members start to retire, we're going to need to have a younger group to take over the more active roles," he said. "We need to get them in here and train them as early as possible."

For information about the need for new members, click here to read this article by Shuster.

According to the Plum Advance Leader, Renton Volunteer Fire Department officials are hoping to acquire more property.

The department is planning to buy 6.4 acres of property near the existing structure along Renton Avenue. That is expected to cost less than $50,000, Anita Maydak, president of the Renton VFD, told the newspaper. 

The new property would be used for parking for the social hall and possible expansion.

Renton VFD officials have said they would like to build a new fire station on borough property—where a new municipal complex might be built—along Renton Road.

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