ADAMS TWP — The state fire commissioner and two officials from Gov. Tom Wolf’s office were among those who attended Tuesday’s kick off for the project to build the Adams Area Fire District a new fire station and training center on Route 228.

The event was at the Route 228 property where the 100-by-100-foot building and training facility will be erected, which is the site of the former Mars Bank drive-through beside Fleming Tire and Auto Service.

Adams Township Supervisor Russ Ford, who coordinated the event, said he hopes the state officials will get the word out in Harrisburg that the township would like some financial assistance in getting the $5 million fire station built.

“We’re hoping we can free up some grant money,” Ford said.

He said the township has applied for a $200,000 grant to get a traffic signal on Route 228 that can be manipulated by firefighters from a blinking yellow light to a red light when they are leaving for a call.

Ford said now that the state budget has been passed, township officials will try for a second grant for construction.

“When you have a volunteer fire organization, you need to provide them with the tools they need to protect the community,” Ford said.

State Fire Commissioner Tim Solobay agreed.

“We want the residents to understand and realize that keeping a volunteer fire department in Adams is a benefit to them,” Solobay said.

He said if the volunteer department was eliminated, the township taxpayers would foot the $3 million cost of a paid fire department. Adams Area’s annual budget is about $225,000.

Solobay said it is vital that residents of Adams Township, Mars, Valencia and Seven Fields either volunteer or donate to Adams Area.

“They need to contribute to make sure this headquarters becomes a reality,” said Solobay, who is also the fire chief in Canonsburg, Washington County.

Erin Molchany, the director of the southwest governor’s office, and Mark Smith, Wolf’s director of Government Affairs and Outreach, also attended the event, but did not comment.

Adams Area Fire Chief Bill Hayes said having a new fire station is imperative to attracting and retaining qualified firefighters.

He said in addition to the fire station, the property will include indoor and outdoor training apparatus that can be used by other fire departments.

“And we’ll have room for expansion and room for growth,” Hayes said.

Butler County Commissioner Kim Geyer said Adams Area responds to 700 to 900 calls per year on a volunteer basis. She said residents and business owners whose properties are covered by the department should donate and volunteer.

“People don’t think about emergency personnel until something happens,” Geyer said. “Any donation would be extremely helpful.”

Hayes said donations can be made to either the fire district’s general fund or to the building fund. He also challenged residents to respond generously to the mail fund drive in April.

He said checks can be sent to Adams Area Fire District, P.O. Box 232, Mars, PA 16046. The checks can be marked “Building fund” or “General Fund.”

Hayes said information on fundraisers is available on Adams Area’s Facebook page and website, www.adamsarea42.com.