A request for qualifications has been issued by the City to solicit design plans to determine the most effective and sustainable outcome for the future of the Medford Fire Headquarters, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced in a press release from the city.

The City is seeking input on a design and feasibility phase where a design architect will provide a recommendation to the City on whether to renovate the existing building which includes the Fire Headquarters, former Police Station, and former 911 center or to demolish the existing building and replace the building with a new Fire Headquarters. The city finalized a contract with the Vertex Companies LLC, to serve as OPM, a step that is required by law, and oversee the selection process as well as the design and construction of the facility.

“Our current fire headquarters is woefully outdated and not an adequate space for a modern fire station,” Mayor Lungo-Koehn said. “Since taking office, I have been prioritizing a future facility that both meets our public safety needs and helps deliver on our goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. Now with this next big step, we are well on our way on seeing this vision for the future become a reality.”

In addition to the work being planned for the headquarters, several updates and renovations have been ongoing at the satellite fire stations throughout the City.

To date, work in progress or already completed includes:

• Request for Qualifications issued for design architect
• Hired the Vertex Companies LLC to serve as Owners Project Manager for Fire Headquarters design and construction
• Roof replacements at Engines 4, 5 & 6 with repairs to roofs at all other Fire Buildings
• Contracting professional services for structural review, and ultimately design for changes needed, of the Engine 3 Apparatus Bay Floor
• Kitchen Renovations at Engines 2 & 5
• Replacing light fixtures and Engines 2-6 with energy efficient fixtures
• Replacing electrical outlets at Engines 2-6
• Repairing or replacing overhead doors at Engines 2-6
• Installation of water re-circulator at Engine 6
• Repairing or replacing window shades
• Reviewing heating/cooling systems at Engine 5
• Reviewing and, if necessary, sealing off Firefighter poles
• Secured Community Preservation funding for design of restoration to windows at historically significant stations (Engines 3, 4, & 6)

According to a report from Black Hills Pioneer, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the $1 billion Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program (CWDGP) during his keynote speech at Tuesday’s Western Governors’ Association’s 2022 annual meeting in Couer d’Alene, Idaho. 

The CWDGP will directly aid communities vulnerable to wildfires by creating more robust protection plans and resilient landscapes as well as improve infrastructure. 

The CWDGP will receive $200 million annually from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Communities selected for the grant will receive up to $10.25 million.  

The grant will prioritize communities that are at high risk for wildfires and which are low income or have been affected by a severe disasters.  

The CWDG will implement the three goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, which follow: 

• Restore and Maintain Landscapes. Landscapes across all jurisdictions are resilient to fire-related disturbances, in accordance with management objectives. 
• Create Fire Adapted Communities. Human populations and infrastructure can withstand a wildfire without loss of life and property. 
• Improve Wildfire Response. All jurisdictions participate in making and implementing safe, effective, efficient risk-based wildfire management decisions. 

The CWDGP’s goals can be disseminated into a few areas. To create resilient landscapes, prescribed burns and fuel treatments make the land the first line of defense when wildfires erupt.

The idea of fire-adapted communities is focuses on protecting homes by altering construction codes, using fire-resistant building materials, and reducing the amount of human-caused fires through education and law enforcement.

To improve a community’s wildfire response capabilities, prepare for long-duration wildfires and preplan to respond efficiently in accordance to an agency’s resources. 

A ground breaking ceremony was held for the new fire station and road extension in Bexar County (TX) on Tuesday morning, according to a report published by KSAT.com. Emergency Services District (ESD) 11 will soon set up shop in that fast-growing area on Walzem Road, near Gibbs Sprawl Road.

West Des Moines (IA) Fire Department has put a new 60-foot long tractor-drawn aerial in service, according to a report published by KCCI 8.

The new apparatus, built by Pierce, has a pump and a tank as if it were two trucks in one, according to the report, that also said it came with a $1.5 million price tag.

It is a unique fire truck in the area not accustom to tiller aerial with steering in the back, according to the report, which also said those who drive it say it’s like being in a parade all the time with people head swiveling as it passes by.

It’s the first of its kind in the city and firefighters and officials are so impressed with its maneuverability, others will likely be purchased in the future, according to the report.  

Firefighters with the Deer Spring (CA) Fire Protection District have been allocated $8 million for a new fire station along Interstate 15 north of Escondido, according to a report published by Times of San Diego.

Calfornia Assembly Member Marie Waldron helped secure the funds, according to the report, to help improve emergency response in the area which has grown significantly in population and businesses.

The district currently has three fire stations located in Escondido and San Marcos, according to the report.