Fire Station Design - Built for Efficiency in Stratham, NH
 
By President Mark Davis
June 25, 2013
 

While we generally focus on FD water supply "stuff," we recently came across a really great fire station design in Stratham, New Hampshire that we had to share. The Stratham VFD is an all-volunteer fire department that operates two engines, a tanker, a forestry unit, and two ambulances - and when alerted - members respond from home to the station in order get the rigs on the street. A few years ago - the department moved into a new station that had been a long time in the planning process and included many unique features.

The feature that caught our eye was the arrangement of the parking lot for home responders, their access door into the station, the use of technology, and an efficient flow path that allows folks to gear up - see who else is coming to the fire house - and get the units out. The photos tell the story.

Excellent work!
 
The home of the Stratham Volunteer Fire Department located in Stratham, New Hampshire. The station has many interesting design features - one of which is the flow path design for home responders entering the station to respond on a call.
The home of the Stratham Volunteer Fire Department located in Stratham, New Hampshire. The station has many interesting design features - one of which is the flow path design for home responders entering the station to respond on a call.
Responders arrive at the station and park in the rear of the structure.
Responders arrive at the station and park in the rear of the structure.
 
This door provides entry into the gear room where members' gear is stored. Key card access controls entry into the room.
This door provides entry into the gear room where members' gear is stored. Key card access controls entry into the room.
Once through the door, members' gear is stowed neatly for quick access and donning.
Once through the door, members' gear is stowed neatly for quick access and donning.
 
Members don gear and head towards the apparatus bay. Note the flat screen on the wall.
Members don gear and head towards the apparatus bay. Note the flat screen on the wall.
After donning gear, officers and members can view the I Am Responding screen to see who is responding to the station so that they can make decisions about apparatus staffing and response.
After donning gear, officers and members can view the I Am Responding screen to see who is responding to the station so that they can make decisions about apparatus staffing and response.
 
From the parking lot to the gear room to the apparatus bay - all in a simple flow path that makes for efficient use of time, space, and technology. An excellent design!
From the parking lot to the gear room to the apparatus bay - all in a simple flow path that makes for efficient use of time, space, and technology. An excellent design!