A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday for the new Shared Emergency Services Facility in Chestnuthill Township was dedicated Thursday.

It was “an exciting milestone of ribbon cutting,” said Chestnuthill Township Manager Dave Albright.

After breaking ground in June 2023 the new facility on Route 715 is ready for use. The $11 million facility, located across from the former West End Fire Company, was funded through grants, loans and foundations assistance.

A 22-year lease was approved for the building. The cost of the lease is $277,000 per year and an additional $80,807.02. for common area maintenance.

Plans are to include townships which are part of the Chestnuthill, Jackson, Eldred, Ross and Polk Regional Planning Committee, as well as Hamilton Township.

West End Fire Company has 13,860 square feet with six vehicle bays. The new facility can fit a ladder truck and 30,000 gallon water tanks, both of which the old firehouse could not accommodate. A bunk room, showers and work out space are available for firefighters.

Jeff Weiss, president of the West End Fire Company and 35-year member, explained the history of the firehouse in the community. He said that in October 1931 seventeen local residents paid $1 and formed a fire company to serve Chestnuthill and Polk Township. Weiss thanked “those that helped it become a reality.”

LVHN EMS West End will have 5,600 square feet with four EMS vehicle bays.

Dennis Ganz, director of pre-hospitalization, said, “We’re happy to be in a state of the art facility and our new home, centrally located with access to the latest technology.”

There is a shared conference room and kitchen, each of the three hubs having a specific carpet color, with gray for shared spaces.

The Emergency Operations Center has 3,080 square feet with one vehicle bay.

Mike Manfre Jr., current Chief and 19-year member of the West End Fire Company said, “This is a central hub where we can manage fire, EMS, police, roads and make decisions in real time.”

Over a dozen workstations are available with many large touch screens so that blueprints, maps and other data, can be pulled up at the same time.

“This is the heartbeat of our response,” noted Manfre. Five townships will be invited to be a part of a meeting about utilizing the new facility. There have been over 200 calls so far.

All needed equipment fits in the new facility, which had been an issue in the past. Firefighters equipment is now easily accessible and trainings can be done in the building.

Chuck Gould, Chestnuthill Supervisors Chairman got a bit choked up when sharing, “This wouldn’t be possible without neighboring communities. This is what happens when we work together across municipality lines.”

The two-story building is located at 140 Firehouse Lane on 6.5 acres, including a pedestrian walkway on Route 715.

The public will have a chance to see the facility in May.