Help for the Volunteers
20 August 2008
LINK: www.courierpress.com

Governor presents funding, breaks ground for new fire department.

Officials are hoping that construction will begin on a new fire station for the Corydon Civil Defense Volunteer Fire Department within 60 days.

But that couldn't have been possible without a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant that Gov. Steve Beshear presented to Corydon Tuesday morning.

"Being a volunteer firefighter is a thankless job," he said. "They pull money out of their own pockets to do this."

Once the new 6,000-square-foot building is constructed, it will mean that all equipment related to fighting fires, rescues and other emergency efforts will be housed in one station. Currently, equipment is stored in various city buildings.

That makes it difficult to respond quickly and efficiently to emergencies, said Bryan Coghill, chief of the Corydon Civil Defense.

The 12 volunteers and emergency medical technicians who comprise the department serve Corydon and surrounding areas in Henderson County. They also serve as support for seven other regional fire departments.

"It will improve our training," he said. He and assistant chief Jeff King agreed that the new facility will also help improve morale and will make it easier for the department to take part in multiple simultaneous emergency runs.

The grant was provided in conjunction with the Department of Local Government, but Beshear said many people were instrumental in helping Corydon receive the grant. He thanked State Sen. Dorsey Ridley and State Rep. John Arnold as well as local officials.

Corydon Missionary Baptist Church was also praised for agreeing to swap land for the building.

"I'm just glad to get it for the community," added Larry Thurby, mayor of Corydon. "It's been a long struggle, and we've worked hard on it. It's really going to help the community out."

Hafer Associates will design the building. Thurby said he will meet with the firm next week.

After speaking in Corydon, Beshear was scheduled to continue on to Sebree, where he was expected to present a check for $318,400 for a new bike/pedestrian trail along U.S. 41 in Sebree.