Upperco Volunteer Fire Company
Accomplishments
Associated Builders & Contractors, Excellence in Construction – Diamond Winner
Consolidating resources and personnel has become a prevalent trend across various industries, including fire departments. Following this trend, the Arcadia and Boring fire companies merged in 2017 to form the Upperco Volunteer Fire Company. They chose to merge primarily for cost-effectiveness and determined that a new location would best serve the newly unified company. The new site for the Upperco Volunteer Fire Company sits directly off the main response artery, ensuring safe and easy access to response apparatus.
This location benefits the community by increasing coverage areas and reducing response times within the first-due area. The 6.5-acre site accommodates the company’s needs, and extensive programming sessions identified a 20,000 GSF building program as optimal for operational requirements. The station includes five double-deep drive-thru apparatus bays, apparatus support spaces, turnout gear storage, and decontamination areas for both first responders and their gear. This layout ensures fire department personnel can access their equipment and supplies quickly and efficiently. The apparatus bay connects seamlessly to the administrative offices, living areas, and bunks, enabling firefighters to respond rapidly during emergencies.
In addition to the facilities mentioned above, the new facility includes a training/meeting room for 50 people. This space can be used for fire training classes and as a community meeting space. This programmatic element is an excellent addition to this location as it allows the fire department to educate and train the community, ultimately leading to increased safety and preparedness.
*Images by Maximilian Franz Alan Gilbert
