Fire Station #1 needing to be replaced

Written by Staff Editor on Monday, December 07 2015.

Part 3 of a series on financial concerns of the Fire District

The Evergreen Fire Protection District (EFPD) has called together a Community Task Force to address declining revenues and its inability to keep pace with increases in operating costs and to fund Reserves. Replacement of Fire Station #1 is also being proposed.

Background:

Station #1 was built in 1965; 50 years old.
It is located just south of the dam. Proximity to historic downtown important.
Previously used to house administrative offices, now located at Station #2 in Bergen Park.
Currently stores seven trucks for structure and wildland fires.

Reasons why Station #1 outdated:

Bay door openings not large enough for modern fire equipment
Apron out front too small for largest truck to pull out – nose sticks out into traffic when closing garage door.
Plumbing and electrical needing replacement.
Roofing has had temporary fixes
Windows and siding require replacement
Back-up generator requires replacement

Other considerations:

Footprint too small for enlarging at that location.
Parking across Hwy 73 necessitates firefighters crossing the highway.
Wouldn’t need administrative offices.
Would need sleeping quarters, kitchen, conference/training area.
Plans to widen Hwy. 73 south of the fire station do not currently include the area that close to town, but it is a bottleneck.

Options:

Replace Station #4 at the S curves along Hwy 73 with a larger building.
Or find another parcel of land close to downtown.
Ask voters to approve a bond in 2016. This would be separate from a mil levy request.

The Community Task Force will meet a third and final time this week to review the need to replace/update Station #1.