WITTENSVILLE, Ky. — A $300,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) was awarded to Johnson County to expand and upgrade the W.R. Castle Fire Station.
“When we talk about investing in and making improvements to the basic services of government, that has to include supporting the work of our first responders, like the folks here at the W.R. Castle Fire Station,” Gov. Beshear said. “As Governor, I’ve had more opportunities than I ever imagined I might to see up close how important it is to have well-trained, well-equipped and well-supplied first responders. We need to step up for our heroes just as they always step up for us.”
Johnson County Judge/Executive Mark McKenzie, W.R. Castle Fire Department (WRCFD) Chief Paul Burchett, WRCFD Fire Department board chairman Paul Daniel, volunteer firefighters and other state and local leaders joined Gov. Beshear and his senior advisor, Rocky Adkins, for the presentation.
The CDBG grant, administered by the Department for Local Government, will fund a 2,000-square-foot addition to the current W.R. Castle Fire Station along U.S. Highway 23 near Wittensville. The original structure was constructed in 1981. The new expansion will include the addition of a large training area, additional equipment storage, additional secure storage, office space and a working kitchen. The new training facility will allow the fire department to meet the increasing need for training in emergency services during the COVID-19 pandemic and allow the firefighters to safely socially distance themselves during these training exercises. The site and facility will continue to be owned, operated, maintained and insured by the WRCFD.
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