On Thursday, Jan. 14, a firehouse that has served a community well for more than 50 years was set to crumble in a pile of rubble. It’s with anticipation and excitement, though, that a dream of a new station for the Marthasville Fire Protection District (MFPD) will begin to be fulfilled just days following the demolition.

The all-volunteer fire department began its service to Marthasville and surrounding community in 1928. Station 1, located at 405 E. Main Street, is just one of three stations providing fire protection for 168 square miles. Station 2 is located in Treloar; Station 3 is in Dutzow. MFPD’s current roster includes more than 60 firefighters and support personnel.

In its beginnings, there was no tax revenue to support the department. Rural residents paid a few dollars a year for protection. Dances, barbeques and other fundraisers helped purchase the first fire truck.

Today, things are different. The MFPD is guided by a district board and the department is supported by the taxpayers. When the call went out to help fund a new fire station, the community passed Proposition F in the spring of 2019 for $1.7 million to fund the construction of a new firehouse and purchase new rescue equipment.

“We have been in our present firehouse since 1969,” said Jim Buescher, district board member and past fire chief. “The old building served us well but even with additions and modifications, it was basically designed to house fire apparatus built in the 1950s and 60s. The new building will better allow our people to perform routine maintenance on vehicles and other equipment. It also provides us more room for inside training evolutions.”

Fire Chief Jeff Backhaus said the members have been preparing for the new project by erecting a temporary station behind the current firehouse, which will house some of their trucks and needed equipment. All meeting and training activities have been shifted to Station 3 in Dutzow. Other equipment is being stored at Station 2. The temporary shed will become a storage facility for specialty equipment when the new firehouse is completed.

“I want to thank the public for all of their support on this project and reassure them that our response plan will happen without any interruption due to the building project,” said Backhaus. “We are very excited to see this become a reality for the district.”

Horn Architects, of Washington, have designed a five-bay station, which includes a training facility and office space, a total of 14,000 square feet. Demien Construction from Wentzville will begin the project on Monday, Jan. 18. Demolition was handled by Tubbs and Sons Construction. The new station is expected to be completed in July or August.

The building committee for the project has been in its planning stages for months. Members include Jeff Backhaus, Justin Backhaus, Jim Buescher, Sean Johnson, Danny Meyer, Tyler Pruessner and Derik Roloff.

Backhaus said the original firehouse was outgrown long ago. Energy efficiency, ample room to service the department’s vehicles, and a state-of-the-art training facility are just a few of the improvements the project should fulfill.