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