City of Carmel celebrates grand opening of Carmel Fire Department headquarters
Carmel Fire Department and Carmel Fire Buffs administrative staff.
CARMEL, Ind., August 16, 2024 - The City of Carmel proudly celebrated the grand opening of the Carmel Clay Community Building on Thursday, Aug. 15, marking a significant milestone in the community’s dedication to public safety. The event, held at 210 Veterans Way, attracted numerous residents and officials who came together to explore the new Carmel Fire Department (CFD) Headquarters and its associated facilities.
“Today’s grand opening is a proud moment for our city. The Carmel Clay Community Building not only honors our past with its location on the site of our original fire headquarters but also represents a significant leap forward in public safety and community engagement,” said Mayor Sue Finkam. “This state-of-the-art facility is a testament to the collaborative spirit of Carmel Clay Township, the City of Carmel, and our dedicated private donors. We are excited to see how this space will enhance our ability to serve and educate our community.”
In 1950, long before there was the bustle of neighboring Midtown Plaza, CFD's original headquarters was constructed on the very site of the new headquarters. When City Hall and Civic Square were constructed in 1987, the administrative functions relocated to what is now Station #341. In 1989, the Fire Buffs Museum was founded and housed within the headquarters as a way to preserve and highlight historic CFD vehicles, memorabilia and important documents.
The facility's upgrades will support the functions of CFD's growing number of firefighters and was funded through a collaborative effort between Clay Township, the City of Carmel and private donations, including contributions from the Carmel Redevelopment Commission (CRC) and the Koorsen family of Koorsen Fire & Security.
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One of the highlights of CFD’s new headquarters is the Stay Alive Family Education (S.A.F.E.) House. This interactive, immersive learning space, developed with cutting-edge audio/visual technology to enhance public safety education, was created by Bloomington, Ind.-based Blockhouse Studios and the city's Information and Communication Systems team and features unique special effects designed to engage and educate the community about fire and life safety. This link takes you to a video of the S.A.F.E. House experience.
"Carmel Fire is excited to open this impressive education facility, museum and administrative offices," said Chief David Haboush. "This one-of-a-kind interactive S.A.F.E. House will allow Carmel firefighters to educate our community on fire and life safety. The presence of this facility and its programs will ultimately save lives not only in our city but throughout the state."
The grand opening event included remarks, refreshments and guided tours of the new facility. The Carmel Fire Department, along with partners and donors, were honored for their contributions, and attendees were treated to a firsthand look at the advanced educational tools and interactive exhibits.
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Chief David Haboush, Carmel Fire Buffs President Jim Martin, retired Clay Township Trustee Doug Callahan and Clay Township Trustee Paul Hensel (center) were joined by members of the Koorsen family, Carmel City Councilors, former Mayor Jim Brainard, Mayor Sue Finkam, representatives from Clay Township, CTI Construction, DLZ and Envoy, Inc.
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About the City of Carmel, Indiana
The City of Carmel is a thriving community in Central Indiana and is ranked one of the most livable mid-size U.S. cities. Known nationwide for pioneering urban design, Carmel has received numerous awards for its community amenities, quality of life, business environment and excellent schools, and continues to build community for those who live, work, play and visit the city. For more information, visit www.carmel.in.gov.
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