In 2008 the Exempt Fireman's Association (Exempts), a fraternal local volunteer firefighters' group founded by Booth in 1886, proposed that the building be reused as a firefighting museum and fire safety education center, due to what its members feel is a lack of awareness of the latter among the city's residents. The city said it was willing to discuss the proposal but only after the fire department had fully vacated the building. According to the head of the city firefighters' union, the building is in serious disrepair and will require substantial renovations. The head of the Exempts says his group has the manpower to do the job and could apply for state and federal grants.
