Brian Harris Shares His Thoughts with Firehouse Magazine on Embracing Technology in Station Design

"Fire stations are among the most complex, heavily used municipal buildings found anywhere. Simultaneously, they are garages housing millions of dollars’ worth of apparatus; they are dormitories; and they have expansive kitchens, training rooms and public meeting facilities as well as administrative office space.

And, they are expected to last decades – sometimes under around-the-clock, heavy-duty service. That’s why it is important to ensure they are designed for the purpose in which they are intended and built using the best materials available.

Firehouse® Magazine interviewed several architects to compile their comments on best practices for how to design and build a fire station for today’s (and tomorrow’s) fire service needs. They were unanimous in their appraisals and comments – hire professionals with experience building complex, purpose-built fire stations; your community will be better off for it and future generations will be thankful you did."

"Selecting the right piece of land for a new fire station is among the most important decisions to be made when designing a new facility. A station’s location is a key element to providing effective service based on both current and future service demands driven by actual and projected hazards and risks."

"Beyond the geographical location, more immediate contextual features affect the suitability of a site, such as access to arterials, traffic, terrain, available utilities and the general density and character of the targeted surroundings. Evaluating and acquiring property for a future fire station can be a complex and lengthy process."

City of Boise Fire Station 4

"Taking direction from city staff, the station incorporates many design characteristics found in early 20th-century buildings in the area by providing a strong street orientation; the use of historical building materials, such as brick and stone; the integration of arches; and the incorporation of a small public square for the community. While the station reflects aspects of the past, the station also offers a new vision of urban growth in the community."

-FireHouse Magazine