The City of Greensburg held its Open House at its newly built Municipal Complex. The Municipal Complex will house the City of Greensburg Street Department and the City of Greensburg Fire Department.
The Street Department’s ceremony was held at 11:00 am. Mayor Josh Marsh spoke about the work and investment that went into this project. He stated that this is the biggest investment in the department’s history. Mayor Marsh said that this building is a long-lasting investment. He thanked the 1,000 or more individuals who were part of the process to make the plans come together for the Street Department. At this facility all of the street vehicles can be stored inside when needed. Having the space that this building provides allows the city to store and protect its investments meaning equipment and trucks. Josh ended his speech with thanking Mark Klosterkemper, Street Commissioner for his hard work and dedication over the past 2 years. Mark stood to speak and said that just yesterday they were able to move their equipment into the building and that on Monday September 16, 2024, they will be reporting to this building for the first time.
A representative with the construction team stood and said that the Street Department main building is 21,000 sq ft, an accessory building is 6,000 sq ft, and the salt barn is 2,400 sq ft. Also, a representative from Ronnebaum Construction stood to speak and stated that of the individuals working on this build 75% of them are Decatur County residents.
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The spotlight was then turned to the new City of Greensburg Fire Department with ceremonies beginning at 11:45 am. Mayor Marsh spoke about the hard work and dedication that Chief Stoermer has had throughout this project. He thanked the citizens and businesses of Greensburg for making this project a possibility. He stated that this department is so vital to the city that they needed space to have adequate facilities. The Fire Station located on Ireland St. was approximately 9,000 sq. ft. and this new facility is approximately 21,000 sq. ft.
During the time speeches were being given at the podium about dedication and how our firefighters drop everything just to ensure safety to our community. The fire department was called to a scene. Two firefighters wearing their dress uniform hurriedly ran through the building a jumped in a pickup truck from the department and raced to a scene.
Chief Stoermer took the microphone and thanked everyone that he has had the pleasure to work with during this project. He alerted the attendees that he had a special announcement and a few moments later he announced that the mayor and himself would be naming John Bryant with the Veridus Group an Honorary Fire Chief for his work and support throughout this process. John and his family came to the podium where he received his Fire Chief Helmet with his name and on this hat, it had the layout of the Fire House on it.
Chief Stoermer was not finished with his surprises though. He stated that even though the Fire Department has moved, the Fire House will continue to be named the Larry D. Filler Station #1. He asked the wife, new husband, and son of Larry D. Filler please come forward and he gifted them with the American Flag that was flying above the Fire House on September 11, 2024.
Larry D. Filler is a Firefighter who tragically passed away on August 5, 1985, after suffering a medical emergency while on duty in the rear parking lot.
Chief Stoermer stated that they would not be doing a Ribbon Cutting, they would be doing an Uncoupling Ceremony of the fire hose. Stating that when the Fire Hose is uncoupled it means they have completed their duties, and the fire has been put out. This historic day the uncoupling of the fire hose would mean that the project has been completed and they would be starting a new journey.
Following the ceremony, I had the opportunity to speak with Greensburg Fire Department Captain Troy Harmon. He brought his 1940 American Fire Apparatus that used to belong to the Greensburg Fire Department until 1979. He found the Fire Apparatus located in Michigan in an auction. It has a few things that are different these days- a radio system strategically hidden in the glove box just to name one. As a proud Father and Grandfather, he has his two grandson’s handprints on the fenders and his daughter’s handprint by the windshield. The picture below includes Troy and his two grandchildren Elliott & Carter Harmon.
