In 1960, Don “Randy” Randich stood inside the newly built Lockport Township Fire Protection District Station 1, as his fellow firefighters gathered to dedicate the structure. Fast forward to 2017, and there he was again—this time seated in the brand-new Station 1 building, now the sole surviving member of the original firefighting team. “I spent 42 years as a firefighter, served under six chiefs, and this place was once considered one of the finest fire stations in all of Illinois,” Randich recalled. “This new building is absolutely stunning. It feels like coming home—it’s just like being part of one big family.”

On Friday morning, Chief David Skoryi, Captain John Batusich, district trustees, current and former firefighters, an honor guard, and other dignitaries officially dedicated the modernized Station 1 with a traditional hose-and-coupling ceremony. The event kicked off at 10 a.m., with heartfelt speeches from both Skoryi and Batusich. Following the indoor proceedings, everyone stepped outside through the new bi-fold doors for a flag-raising ceremony. The Lockport Township Firefighters Local #1544 Honor Guard carefully hoisted the flags onto poles mounted directly onto the building façade. Afterward, Fire Chaplain Rev. Mark Hein led a prayer, followed by a ceremonial hose-holding segment involving trustees Paul Siegel, Henry Meader, Dave Palya, Bill Kendziora, Gordon McCluskey, union president Pat Kelly, and Captain Batusich.

According to Chief Skoryi, back in 2010, the senior leadership and board of trustees realized the existing building had outlived its usefulness. They identified several pressing issues, including outdated sewer lines, inefficient HVAC systems, inadequate living quarters for both male and female firefighters, insufficient space for modern firefighting equipment, lingering asbestos concerns, and an urgent need for advanced technology integration. After consulting with architects, they discovered that upgrading the facility would cost nearly three-quarters of what constructing a brand-new station would entail. Ultimately, the decision was made to demolish and rebuild.

Demolition commenced on May 25, 2016. During this period, the ambulance crew temporarily relocated to Station 6, while the fire engine moved to Station 4. In keeping with the historic charm of downtown Lockport, the design team worked hard to ensure the new structure blended seamlessly with its surroundings. Externally, the building features seven arches mirroring the iconic seven-arched bridge on Ninth Street. The apparatus room boasts bi-fold doors reminiscent of classic firehouses, and rather than a standalone flagpole, the flags are mounted diagonally on the exterior walls. Inside, however, the station is cutting-edge. State-of-the-art dispatch systems, illuminated with red LED lights and digital signage, complement the spacious interior. Heated floors were installed in the apparatus bay for comfort, and the layout allows ample room for large vehicles along with a sophisticated diesel exhaust capture system.

The original Station 1 initially operated from the 100 block of East 10th Street from 1897 until 1902. It later moved to the Adelman Garage between 1902 and 1937 before relocating again to the City of Lockport Building in 1938. Finally, in 1960, the station found its current home at 828 E. Ninth Street, where it remained operational until the recent renovation.

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