Keeping It Safe Robert Tutterow
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released its fifth needs assessment of the U.S. fire service. One of the most striking findings was the lack of progress in improving fire stations.
Almost half of the U.S. stations are more than 40 years old, and that percentage is larger than it was when the fourth needs assessment was released in 2015. Unfortunately, the situation is not getting better or remaining steady. It is getting worse.
A couple of examples of the shortcomings are the lack of diesel exhaust removal systems in 56% of the stations and the fact that 31% of the stations have no backup power. It is known that diesel is a carcinogen and a clear health hazard to those who breathe in the contaminated air. And backup power (highly recommended full station power) is critical, especially when the perils of Mother Nature strike a community. The fire station must be a beacon of light in these types of events.
Knowing that a fire station should last several decades (seven is an often-mentioned number), we have not been very successful in projecting our needs 70 years in advance. Just a couple of generations ago, for example, there were no concerns about gender, wellness rooms, contamination control, or sleep deprivation. Many volunteer stations were built without anyone thinking the department would become a combination department; thus, station needs changed when that transition occurred. In fact, since no one can accurately forecast what challenges lie ahead that might impact fire station design, we should do something we habitually forget to do in station design, and that is adequate storage. Yes, square footage cost is a number used by architects and contractors and one of the first things mentioned to cut when there is a lack of funds. A well-designed station should be built with a future addition in mind.
The fire service must understand that very few architects are knowledgeable about fire station design. Often, a community will require that a station be designed by a local architectural firm regardless of its expertise in station design. In those cases, it is strongly recommended that the local architect subcontract with a firm that is knowledgeable. The mindset that it is “just a garage” is frightening.
Moreover, the building of a fire station is a once-in-a-career project for most fire chiefs and administrators, so there is no legacy knowledge. Learning about “best practices” in fire station design and renovation is critical in getting the best long-term value in a fire station.
The learning process about the complex aspects of a fire station must begin at least two to three years before a final design is agreed on. Everyone must understand that the operating costs of a station over the life of the station will far exceed the initial design and construction costs. Therefore, durability, ease of maintenance, energy efficiency, and sustainability are particularly important. As fire chiefs and administrators learn about fire station design, it is wise to also involve the critical stakeholders outside the fire service in this learning process.
Clearly, the biggest obstacle in upgrading the state of fire stations across the country is lack of funding. One thing the fire service could do that might help comes from a statement recently made by U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell. She said that we must get our governance to understand and declare the fire service as part of the critical infrastructure. Funding is a priority for entities that are part of the critical infrastructure.
Look at all the man-made and nature-related disasters that occur on a regular basis. Who is always first on the scene and likely the primary mitigator? If the fire service can be considered as such, then it should be a “no-brainer” that fire stations are at the core of critical infrastructure.
When it comes to fire stations, there is a lot to learn about: contamination, wellness, gender, alerting, operating costs, furnishings, finishes, maintenance, security, flow, energy, sanitation, lighting, HVAC, general and dedicated storage, holistic criteria, color, bay doors, and so on. To underscore the complex nature of fire stations, the most recent F.I.E.R.O. Fire Station Symposium had 35 station topics presented. For volunteer departments, a well-designed and well-furnished station is a great recruiting tool if it is a place emergency responders want to be. Get educated.
In the NFPA fire service needs assessment, a concluding statement was “… responders can still lack the updated infrastructure and equipment to keep them safe. The time has come for us to ensure that their needs are met so that they can continue providing their critical support in the ever-changing world. We can and should do more.”
ROBERT TUTTEROW retired as safety coordinator for the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department and is a member of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Editorial Advisory Board. His 44-year career includes 10 as a volunteer. He has been very active in the National Fire Protection Association through service on the Fire Service Section Executive Board and technical committees involved with safety, apparatus, and personal protective equipment. He is a founding member and president of the Fire Industry Education Resource Organization (F.I.E.R.O.).
