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Wideman said the remodeling of the interior of the station will make the facility more usable for the crews based in Lonedell.
House 2 is regularly staffed by a three-person fire crew and a two-person EMS crew. Both crews are on 24-hour shifts.
"We are going to make the rooms bigger, remove some wall and take away some of the dead space," Wideman said.
The construction will improve the office and living space for the fire and EMS crews.
The construction is expected to last between 78 and 100 days. Wideman said because all the work is on the interior of the station, weather shouldn't delay construction.
The station was originally built in 1979 and has never been updated.
The remodel also will make the station more energy efficient.
There will be no interruption or delay in either fire or EMS service in the Lonedell area, according to Wideman and EMS Assistant Chief Jamie Clayton.
"They shouldn't notice a difference," both said.
The fire crews based at House 2 will move to House 4 during the remodeling. House 4 is located at 3545 Highway 47 in Lonedell.
Wideman said no equipment will move.
"The engine bays will not be touched during the construction," he said. "The full-time crews will work out of House 4 and if we need to call out volunteers, they can go into House 2 and get out the trucks."
The EMS crew based at House 2 will move back to St. Clair and EMS House 1, located on Paul Parks Drive.
"There isn't enough room at House 4," Clayton said. "But we looked at it - we have such a good relationship with the fire department and we tried to make it work."
Clayton said crews will continue to respond out of St. Clair.
"The fire department will continue to respond with us," he said. "There will be no disruption to service."
Wideman echoed Clayton's sentiments about service.
"We will have a better response time by keeping the crew at House 4," he said. "This is the perfect time to do this. With the good weather, the trucks make better time on the dry pavement than they would in the winter."
Wideman and Clayton said the only noticeable difference to area residents is that they will not be able to walk into the station for help.
"If you need help, you need to call 911," Wideman said. "They can't come into the firehouse."
Not being able to physically walk into the station should be the only change in Lonedell service during construction.
"The fire department and EMS have a great working relationship and we will continue to work to serve the residents of St. Clair and Lonedell," Clayton said.
