Kitchens: Designed To Be “Heart” of the Fire Station

By Alan M. Petrillo

The kitchen often serves as the heart of a fire station, a place where firefighters might congregate for a meal or after a call to grab some additional nourishment or hydration.

The design of firehouse kitchens varies around the country, from small, utilitarian kitchens to layouts that emulate well-appointed residential kitchens to areas that rival commercial kitchen designs.

1 The Phoenix Fire Department uses all stainless steel in its fire station kitchens, as is shown in this kitchen in Station 50.

Role of the Kitchen

Ken Newell, principal in Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects, observes that as the kitchen is the heart of a personal home, similarly firehouse kitchens serve the same role. “As architects, we consider the kitchen the heart of the firehouse, one of the most important spaces in the building,” Newell says. “When designing a new firehouse, we spend as much time talking about kitchens as any other area in the station and find a wide range of what firefighters consider important in a kitchen, depending on the type of department, from small volunteer fire companies to large career departments.”

2 Station 21 in the Phoenix Fire Department has a six-burner gas range with a single oven, all stainless steel counters and cabinetry, and polished concrete floor.

Newell points out that the kitchen often becomes the social activity area in a fire station, followed by the day room and other firehouse spaces. “Most of the interaction among firefighters happens in the kitchen, especially now with individual sleeping rooms in many departments,” he says. “Most fire departments want their kitchens open to their day rooms to make it a free-flowing space.”

Jim Zwerg, architect and facilities manager for the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department, says Phoenix firehouses don’t have open dorms anymore, so the main hangout for firefighters is the kitchen and dining area of the station. “At some of our stations, we’ve removed walls to make the kitchen, dining area, and day room all one open area because that’s where the socializing happens throughout the day,” Zwerg points out. “So, the kitchen and dining spaces are a primary point of interest in firehouse design.”

3 A heavy-duty pot rack, such as this one in a Phoenix Fire Department station kitchen, is a practical addition to hold an assortment of pots, pans, and skillets. [Photos 1-3 courtesy of Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department.]

Design Considerations

Zwerg adds that the location of the kitchen is important. “You want

Kitchens: Designed To Be “Heart” of the Fire Station

By Alan M. Petrillo

The kitchen often serves as the heart of a fire station, a place where firefighters might congregate for a meal or after a call to grab some additional nourishment or hydration.

The design of firehouse kitchens varies around the country, from small, utilitarian kitchens to layouts that emulate well-appointed residential kitchens to areas that rival commercial kitchen designs.

1 The Phoenix Fire Department uses all stainless steel in its fire station kitchens, as is shown in this kitchen in Station 50.

Role of the Kitchen

Ken Newell, principal in Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects, observes that as the kitchen is the heart of a personal home, similarly firehouse kitchens serve the same role. “As architects, we consider the kitchen the heart of the firehouse, one of the most important spaces in the building,” Newell says. “When designing a new firehouse, we spend as much time talking about kitchens as any other area in the station and find a wide range of what firefighters consider important in a kitchen, depending on the type of department, from small volunteer fire companies to large career departments.”

2 Station 21 in the Phoenix Fire Department has a six-burner gas range with a single oven, all stainless steel counters and cabinetry, and polished concrete floor.

Newell points out that the kitchen often becomes the social activity area in a fire station, followed by the day room and other firehouse spaces. “Most of the interaction among firefighters happens in the kitchen, especially now with individual sleeping rooms in many departments,” he says. “Most fire departments want their kitchens open to their day rooms to make it a free-flowing space.”

Jim Zwerg, architect and facilities manager for the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department, says Phoenix firehouses don’t have open dorms anymore, so the main hangout for firefighters is the kitchen and dining area of the station. “At some of our stations, we’ve removed walls to make the kitchen, dining area, and day room all one open area because that’s where the socializing happens throughout the day,” Zwerg points out. “So, the kitchen and dining spaces are a primary point of interest in firehouse design.”

3 A heavy-duty pot rack, such as this one in a Phoenix Fire Department station kitchen, is a practical addition to hold an assortment of pots, pans, and skillets. [Photos 1-3 courtesy of Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department.]

Design Considerations

Zwerg adds that the location of the kitchen is important. “You want

Kitchens: Designed To Be “Heart” of the Fire Station

By Alan M. Petrillo

The kitchen often serves as the heart of a fire station, a place where firefighters might congregate for a meal or after a call to grab some additional nourishment or hydration.

The design of firehouse kitchens varies around the country, from small, utilitarian kitchens to layouts that emulate well-appointed residential kitchens to areas that rival commercial kitchen designs.

1 The Phoenix Fire Department uses all stainless steel in its fire station kitchens, as is shown in this kitchen in Station 50.

Role of the Kitchen

Ken Newell, principal in Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects, observes that as the kitchen is the heart of a personal home, similarly firehouse kitchens serve the same role. “As architects, we consider the kitchen the heart of the firehouse, one of the most important spaces in the building,” Newell says. “When designing a new firehouse, we spend as much time talking about kitchens as any other area in the station and find a wide range of what firefighters consider important in a kitchen, depending on the type of department, from small volunteer fire companies to large career departments.”

2 Station 21 in the Phoenix Fire Department has a six-burner gas range with a single oven, all stainless steel counters and cabinetry, and polished concrete floor.

Newell points out that the kitchen often becomes the social activity area in a fire station, followed by the day room and other firehouse spaces. “Most of the interaction among firefighters happens in the kitchen, especially now with individual sleeping rooms in many departments,” he says. “Most fire departments want their kitchens open to their day rooms to make it a free-flowing space.”

Jim Zwerg, architect and facilities manager for the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department, says Phoenix firehouses don’t have open dorms anymore, so the main hangout for firefighters is the kitchen and dining area of the station. “At some of our stations, we’ve removed walls to make the kitchen, dining area, and day room all one open area because that’s where the socializing happens throughout the day,” Zwerg points out. “So, the kitchen and dining spaces are a primary point of interest in firehouse design.”

3 A heavy-duty pot rack, such as this one in a Phoenix Fire Department station kitchen, is a practical addition to hold an assortment of pots, pans, and skillets. [Photos 1-3 courtesy of Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department.]

Design Considerations

Zwerg adds that the location of the kitchen is important. “You want

By Richard Marinucci

Information and knowledge regarding apparatus specification and maintenance lead to better decision making when acquiring new apparatus and keeping them on the road.

This translates into better use of resources and better vehicle reliability. Attending conferences, workshops, seminars, and symposia is a great way to increase knowledge. Of course, there are many options as there are seemingly countless opportunities from the big shows like FDIC International to regional and state programs to more niche conferences held nationally. To paraphrase Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, “Of all the conferences, in all the world, why this one?” To understand why, you have to look at the format and content of the 29th Annual Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium presented by the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA).

The symposium offers an intimate setting where everyone interested in apparatus can meet and discuss the industry. This includes manufacturers, suppliers, fleet managers, mechanics, and purchasers. There are formal sessions including keynote addresses and workshops that cover a variety of topics. These will include information on aerial platform design; storage and equipment mounting; and specific information on batteries, tires, camera systems, idle reduction, scene lighting, and line power generation. All of these are important to departments looking to get the most “bang for the buck” and also to help make the best choices to improve performance and service to the community.

The training sessions are but one part of the symposium. Networking opportunities abound as attendees are able to meet and talk fire trucks with people who are passionate about this side of the fire service industry. The size of the conference is such that many interactions are possible throughout the event. There are displays by the vendors and informal meetings that allow attendees to discuss specific issues directly related to their organizations and job responsibilities. You will meet people who will not only offer you help and guidance at the symposium but will also become valuable resources after you return to your home department. You can renew old friendships, make new ones, and continue those relationships for the rest of your career and beyond. You will find so many people who genuinely care about fire trucks, their operation, and their reliability.

Every organization will say it wants to be the best and excel. Members understand that there is an expectation that the service being provided will be outstanding and that the people responding along with the equipment they bring will be prepared. The apparatus must be functional and reliable. The truly great departments know they must be up on the latest developments in the industry. The apparatus portion of this is a key component and is part of the level of success that will be determined. Apparatus, like so much of today’s world, is getting more complex and technological. If you are not keeping up, you are falling behind. There are many ways to stay current, and attendance at shows is one of them. The FDSOA Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium is a great way to learn more details.

There is no disputing that purchasing and maintaining fire apparatus are significant investments for every department and every community. Well-run organizations learn as much as they can so the funds can be expended wisely and so the vehicles purchased are reliable and functional. The ongoing maintenance is vital to keeping vehicles in service. A small investment in attending the 29th Annual Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium, presented by the FDSOA in partnership with the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Associati