By Alan M. Petrillo
Charlotte County (FL) Fire & EMS has moved into its new Station 10 on Don Pedro Island, and it’s awaiting completion this Spring of two mainland fire stations: Station 2 in the Murdock Village area and Station 5 in Punta Gorda.
John Molenda, Charlotte County’s deputy chief, says all three stations have extra space in them for expansion because the county is experiencing quick community growth, and include in their design decontamination spaces to reduce the risk of particulate contamination. He notes that the county operates 16 fire stations, staffed by approximately 250 firefighter/EMTs and paramedics.
Station 10 is a two-story, two-bay station built on a barrier island that’s only accessible by ferry or personal watercraft, says Karl Bernhard, principal of Sweet-Sparkman Architects, the firm that designed and built the structure on a design/build contract, partnering with Magnum Builders. “The fact that the station is on an island meant we had to bring concrete trucks and all building materials over by ferry, which was a challenge,” Bernhard says. “Also, the station is located 1,000 feet from the Gulf coast and is in a FEMA flood zone, so we had to raise the level of the station’s living spaces 15 feet.”
He notes that the ground floor holds the two apparatus bays, a turnout gear storage room, and a general storage area. “The slab supporting the fire trucks had to be frangible where it would break away under a certain amount of storm surge pressure,” Bernhard points out. “We put in a miniature version of an airport runway, which is a grid pattern with individual squares doweled together with greased rods and receivers that tie them together.”
In addition to a staircase, Station 10 has a fire pole to allow access to the apparatus bays from the second floor.Station 10’s second floor has four single-occupant, fully-enclosed bunk rooms, three of which are built out with a bed, storage underneath, a desk area, and three lockers, while the fourth is reserved for future use. Also on the second floor are a fitness room, report-writing room, laundry area, two unisex shower/toilet/sink rest rooms, and a commercial-grade kitchen with an open-floor plan connecting a day room and dining room, with a porch area.
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Posted: Feb 18, 2022
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Posted: Feb 17, 2022
The McKinney (TX) Fire Department Wednesday opened its Station 11, located in the Craig Ranch area.
At 6:30 a.m., dispatch announced the closing of Station 8, and the opening of Station 11, which will house Engine 11 and Med 11.
The department plans to hold an official opening ceremony later in the spring.
Hear the dispatch call above.
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