Central Pierce Fire Station 60
Spanaway, WA
Award Received: Firehouse Magazine Station Design Awards 2018, Gold Award in category Renovation Award
The original tilt-up concrete fire station was erected 1979 for Fire District 7 in Spanaway, Washington. The District added a simple training tower to the site 1987. In the 90’s, Fire District 7 merged into Central Pierce Fire and Rescue (CPFR), and the facility became Headquarters Fire Station 60. CPFR added a portable to expand administrative space and a pole barn served as a classroom; however, as service and training demands increased, it became clear the facility would need to be rethought.
A remodel/addition was determined to be the best approach and use of public dollars but proved a complex logistical challenge. In addition to facility design, an interim solution to meet uninterrupted service and administrative needs was required. Construction was structured into three major phases. The firefighters continued to operate out of the station in the first phase while a temporary crew portable and apparatus tent were brought online. The second phase saw the lion’s share of the work with completion of the additions and remodeling. For the final phase, the improved station became operational, and the temporary station was decommissioned.
6,200 square feet were added to the existing 13,300 square foot headquarters station. The poorly insulated, weathered concrete shell was thermally improved and reskinned to yield an energy efficient building with a renewed civic presence. Clerestories and relites bring daylight into the public and work spaces. Flexible meeting, conference and EOC functions were added. The former administrative portable was moved to the training grounds and remodeled as dirty classroom. A state-of-the-art training tower rounds out the improved campus and now offers 7,500 square feet over 5 levels with gas fired burn props and a plumbed smoke system. After nearly 40 years of service life, CPFR has strategically improved their headquarters facility to serve well into the twenty-first century.