Whether departments have specialized washing machines in the station or send their gear out to an independent service provider, there is one constant: The fire service has recognized the importance of cleaning gear to rid it of contaminants and toxins as soon as possible. ALAN M. PETRILLO
A number of products are available to remove harmful, toxic vehicle exhaust from apparatus bays and the station’s living quarters and offices. ALAN M. PETRILLO
Not every district can afford to build a brand new station. Some must rehab and renovate existing stations to carry them into the future. ALAN M. PETRILLO
Considerations and possible manufacturer alterations to enable new apparatus to fit into older stations include vehicle height, length, width, and weight. ALAN M. PETRILLO
Considerations and possible manufacturer alterations to enable new apparatus to fit into older stations include vehicle height, length, width, and weight. ALAN M. PETRILLO
Storage options include purpose-built lockers with lockable security doors and units that are open to the air to allow the turnout gear to dry faster. ALAN M. PETRILLO
Alerting systems for fire departments have come a long way from using simple sirens, bells, or whistles.
There are many options available to fire departments for apparatus room floor coverings, as well as different levels of protection for those floors.
Fire department personnel and designers consider ease of fire apparatus egress, keeping out inclement weather, and visual appeal when designing doors for new stations or retrofitting them in older stations.
Some considerations before you design a station that you will have to live with for years to come. DON COLLINS