Part Five

THE FUTURE STATION ONE

This is a multi-part, community-based, informational article regarding Evergreen Fire/Rescue Station One, located near the dam in downtown. We will be addressing the past, present and future state of Station One, along with the benefits of the future Station One to the community.

WHY ARE PLANS BEING MADE TO REPLACE FIRE STATION ONE?


Part Five - Consolidation and Flexibility
The planned consolidation of Stations 1 and 4 creates flexibility for the community and the EFR team. The new Station 1 property is large enough to accommodate a total of ten bays. The station can be constructed to adequately house seven fire apparatus from the current Station 1 as well as the two ambulances and a utility/snowplow truck currently kept at Station 4. Consolidating the crews and the equipment in one building will improve response, getting us to your emergency quickly and in unison.

Additionally, the new Station 1 will include areas for a 24/7 EMS crew to work, sleep, shower, and eat while also providing space for firefighters to stay overnight, work, and share down time. This gives volunteer firefighters the ability to spend more time at the station, allowing them to respond quickly to support the paramedics or roll the fire apparatus when needed.

A critically important improvement offered by the new Station 1 is a healthy facility for first responders. The current Station 1 lacks an adequate vehicle exhaust system in its garage bays. Without a way to actively ventilate the bays, crews are exposed to higher concentrations of harmful emissions. The new Station 1 will be equipped with an exhaust system to greatly reduce this issue. Companies such as Plymovent, Nederman, and others, manufacture exhaust systems designed to attach to the vehicle exhaust magnetically and disengage as the truck pulls away.

Plymovent part 5 image - Copy
Plymovent System

Nederman part 5 image - Copy
Nederman System

Additionally, the new Station 1 will provide space for “hot” and “cold” areas. Firefighters often come into contact with harmful, cancer-causing chemicals or particulates when responding to calls, especially when exposed to smoke. These chemicals can embed themselves into equipment and protective gear. The new Station 1 will be equipped with designated “hot” areas where special extractors and dryers are used to decontaminate gear. “Cold” work and living areas are separated from where gear and apparatus are stored to reduce cross-contamination. This is an increasingly vital health and safety improvement, and an important commitment to current and future first responders.

By consolidating two stations into one, the District gains flexibility with the current Station 1 and Station 4 properties. EFR will examine possible uses for these properties. There may be advantages to retaining the properties as they could provide additional equipment storage, or house seasonal crews. Sale of the properties will also be considered.