Today we read an article which was linked in our news on rehabsector.org, entitled Fire Station Design: Funding Considerations for New Stations.

Writer Dr. Harry R. Carter makes several several interesting points about justifying the station you need by doing a good assessment of your needs and of the challenges you face.

But, he also notes that not everyone can design a usable fire station. More about that, shortly.

First, why would the "waterboys" care about fire stations, anyway? We care because the fire service is one of our main "customers" and we are dedicated to the wellbeing of our first reponders -- even the ones we will never meet. So, if we can help you shape your vision for what your new station should have, we'd like to.

We did some searching for resources for Fire Departments displaced by Hurricane Ike. Do you know who has some nifty ideas about fire station design? Nah, you'll never guess this. It's the Air Force -- the United States Air Force. I can't remember the last time I heard about the Air Force putting out a fire. I'm sure they must have fires. (Bill did watch them put out a training fire in about a thousand gallons of JP-5 and said he needed sun tan lotion. But, we digress.)

Fire stations, the Air Force has. And they have a lot of them. So it should be no surprise that they have a design guide. And you can download it and steal some ideas, for free.

Don't just picture them as the folks in "baked potato" suits, doing ARFF. They are structure fire fighters, too. USAF has a lot of "land side" to protect, as well.

So when you are planning a new station, or trying to justify why you need one when some think the one you are in is just fine, you might find you don't have to invent everything yourself.

Here's some bullet points from US Air Force Fire Station Design Guide about facilities:

B. BUILDING DESIGN
1. BUILDING ORGANIZATION AND CIRCULATION.
a. Main Fire Station
· Alarm communications center
· Communications control room
· Kitchenette/private rest room
· Emergency response center
· Telecommunications/computer room
· Apparatus room
· Training facilities
· Training room
· Assistant chief for training office
· Audiovisual storage
· Fire-fighting computer simulation model
· Testing/training
· Physical fitness
· Living quarters
· Private bedrooms
· Personal lockers
· Physical therapy room
· Rest rooms/showers
· Laundry
· Recreation/dining
· Recreation room
· Day room
· Vending
· Kitchen
· Kitchen storage
· Serving line
· Dining area
· Administration
· Entrance/reception
· Fire chief's office
· Fire chief's conference room
· Fire chief's bedroom
· Assistant chief for operations an readiness' office
· Assistant chief for operations' office
· Assistant chief for operations' bedroom
· Rest room
· Station captain's office/bedroom
· Assistant chief for technical services' office
· Technical services staff office
· Technical services aids and storage
· Administration storage
· Maintenance, repair, storage, and support
· Vehicle maintenance office
· Vehicle maintenance parts and tools
· Fire-fighting agent storage
· Hose storage and drying
· Fire extinguisher maintenance/repair and storage
· SCBA maintenance and repair
· Protective clothing lockers
· Protective clothing laundry
· Outdoor tire storage
· General supply
· Medical storage
· Janitor's closet
· Mechanical/electrical/telephone/ compressor room
· Public and private corridors
· Disinfecting facilities
· AF Reserve/ANG Annex
· Administrative
· Equipment storage/maintenance room
· Locker/protective clothing area
Reserve certification/testing area
b. Satellite Fire Station
· Alarm communications center
· Communications control room
· Private rest room
· Telecommunications/computer room
· Apparatus room
· Training facilities
· Physical fitness
· Living quarters
· Private bedrooms
· Station captain's bedroom
· Recreation/dining
· Recreation room
· Day room/training room
· Vending
· Kitchen
· Kitchen storage
· Personal lockers
· Rest rooms/showers
· Laundry
· Serving line
· Dining area
· Administration
· Station captain's office/bedroom
· Administration storage
· Maintenance, repair, storage, and support
· Fire-fighting agent storage
· Hose storage and drying
· Protective clothing lockers
· Protective clothing laundry
· General supply
· Janitor's closet
· Mechanical/electrical/ telephone/compressor room
· Public and private corridors

Here's your link...
US Air Force Fire Station Design Guide