They used spray insulation foam to repair a leak that could damage the electrical equipment. They patched the roof with tar several times. They put a tarp in the attic to catch the water leaking from the roof and a fire hose to drain that water down into their bathroom sink.

“It's a good thing we're firemen,” Chief Michael Smith said, motioning to the hose in the sink.

The firefighters may not have to improvise much longer. Fire Administrator Bruce Miller said that in the next few weeks, the town will be going out to bid for an architect to draw up plans for the repairs.

“The goal is to get the architect on board and get everything going in the winter months,” he said Wednesday. “As soon as the winter weather breaks, we'd like to be on that roof.”

First Selectman Daniel Steward said the funds for the project have not been appropriated yet.

“We need to make sure we know what we're doing before we spend any money. It could be a lot,” he said. “The building is in need of substantial repair.”

A June 2005 preliminary conceptual estimate by O&G in Torrington put the cost of the structural repairs at $828,738.

Steward said the repairs were put off for some time because the town was studying whether all five firehouses were needed, and the Jordan firehouse was at risk for closure. But the study concluded that all five firehouses were needed in order not to compromise response times, he said.

The Board of Finance endorsed moving forward with plans to hire an architect, after a presentation by Smith and Deputy Chief Jason Cioci at a November meeting.

“They made an excellent presentation about what was going on,” Kenneth Brown, board chairman, said Wednesday. “We were impressed, and we're anxious to get on with it.”

Smith said the major problems at the firehouse, at 89 Rope Ferry Road, include the lack of space, the limited line of sight from the driveway, incorrect pitch of the floor, sinkholes in the driveway, leaks, split and cracked rafters, a wall that leans, cracks in the front wall and water damage.

The firehouse also needs an upgrade to the electrical, air conditioning and heating systems, additional supports for a beam in the bay and beams in the basement, accommodations for women firefighters, new windows, doors, flooring and stair treads, kitchen renovations and additional office space, Smith said.

“Our budget won't support the repairs we need,” he said. “It's not wants, it's needs. Everything is antiquated.”

Smith said the department could use a new firehouse, but the members can live with the current facility as long as it is brought up to code and up to date. He said he hopes the decision will be made quickly, because the lack of attention to the firehouse has caused a morale problem among the firemen.

“It's more frustrating than anything,” he said. “Members get the feeling that they're not wanted or appreciated.”

j.grogan@theday.com