Timeframe unknown for Inwood firehouse renovations

Planning for the Inwood firehouse renovations are in the design phase, fire district officials said nearly 15 months after a $4.8 million bond was approved by residents to upgrade the 90-year-old-plus firehouse.    

“We are still in design,” said Dennis Varriello, the fire district’s manager,” we are about to file with the Town of Hempstead for a building permit.”

In the January 2022 presentation, it was revealed that officials were proposing to add Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms on the first floor of the building, ADA shower stalls, elimination of outdated fuel dispensing system and increase room for firefighter gear and equipment.

One of the improvements Variello spotlighted was the increased room, which would be essential for the firefighters in creating safer conditions and having more space between vehicles and equipment.

“It’s incredibly important,” he said, “with the new space, the distance between the trucks will be much greater. Allowing them to have the ability to open the doors easier and get in and out.”

Inwood Fire Commissioner Frank Parise said a new fire truck was in its plans to replace the 75-foot, 25-year-old truck. The new  $2 million truck would have a 100-foot ladder, which would help with the developing Inwood community that will have a few 5-story buildings soon.

“The buildings that are being proposed, which we saw are plans of five-story buildings,” he said. “We are concerned about the safety of the residents and want to make sure we have the equipment to reach the floors. God forbid if we had to remove them from the building, there would be no problem.”

Also in the proposed expansion plans was an expansion in the apparatus room, which will give first-response ladder trucks and larger vehicles the ability to back into the firehouse easily.

“The upgrade is necessary for us because of the size of the trucks,” Inwood Fire Commissioner Dominic Andreno said. “And the space we need to store these trucks.”

On March 4, a man stole a pickup truck from the firehouse and drove through the closed bay doors resulting in significant damage. Varriello said the incident did not cause any setbacks.

“We feel as if everything will be covered by insurance that we currently have,” he said. “It will also not affect any of our plans as they were prior.”

The firehouse was built in 1927 on the northeast corner of Wanser Avenue and Doughty Boulevard. The building was expanded in 1952 and again in 1952 on the Doughty Boulevard side of the firehouse. An elevator was added in 1995 on the Wanser Avenue side.