I've been asked to be on a new firehouse building planning committee and am looking for ideas. We are a volunteer dept with approximately 65 members. We house 2 pumpers, a heavy rescue, and an ambulance. Our main problem is space. We've outgrown what we have.
Just looking for building ideas. What have others done? What works, what doesn't.
Our new station, (opening next month), is a "L" shaped station. The one side houses the Tower Ladder, Tender and Engine, while the other side houses the Ambulance and Battalion Chief. This is an idea our Chiefs got from the west coast. The idea being that since the Ambulance goes out more than the other apparatus, we only have to lose heat from the small side whenever the Ambulance rolls out in the winter weather. The middle area houses the offices, day room, kitchen and bunk rooms and bathrooms. I'll have to post a picture here when it's finally done!