Rivermont Fire Station

Rivermont Fire Station upgrades the 1954 predecessor, delivering enhanced emergency response capabilities and community spaces in a 15,250-square-foot facility. As the second fire station established in the county, the original structure had become both deteriorated and undersized for the department's evolving needs.

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Meeting Current Demands

Working closely with the county and fire company, our team developed a comprehensive facility that addresses both current operations and future growth. The single-story building features three drive-through bays housing the station's ambulance, engines, and tankers. The design incorporates dedicated spaces for volunteer and career staff, including bunk rooms accommodating up to 12 people, offices, a fitness area, and a spacious day room. The layout promotes health and wellness through effective separation of spaces for all personnel.

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Design Challenges and Solutions

A key technical challenge involved integrating standard building framing into a metal building structure. This required extensive coordination between the structural team and metal building systems team. The architectural and MEP teams then aligned their work with the final structural dimensions. While not a design-build project, this level of upfront coordination proved essential to minimize design adjustments during construction.

During the design phase, we learned the FAA was considering expanding the adjacent airport, placing the station along a new flight path. Combined with the county's request for additional parking, this development required our team to revise the site plan and adjust the building's position while maintaining all necessary functionality.

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Water Systems and Infrastructure

The inclusion of community space and a commercial kitchen increased water demands beyond typical fire station requirements. Our team designed wastewater and domestic water systems to handle this increased load, implementing comprehensive water treatment and storage solutions suitable for the remote location. The kitchen layout accommodates owner-provided equipment, installed by the general contractor.

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Community Connection

The station serves as a community hub, with multipurpose space and a commercial kitchen supporting traditional fire station fundraisers, social events, and public gatherings. These amenities help maintain the station's historic connection to the community while providing new functionality.

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Location Benefits

The new station's position, approximately a mile from the original site, provides improved access to secondary service areas. This positioning enhances emergency response capabilities while maintaining strong community connections.

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Impact

Rivermont Fire Station strengthens emergency response capabilities while preserving the department's community-centered tradition. The facility improves morale among volunteer responders and provides an efficient, healthy environment for all personnel. With practical design that allows for future growth while meeting present needs, the station continues to advance the fire department's mission.