Proposed New Fire Station
Town of Newton / Newton Fire Department
Over the past year, the Town of Newton Fire Department, in collaboration with Keller, has been diligently working to address the critical needs of our fire safety infrastructure. The existing town hall / fire station was built in 1963, with the last addition in 1991, the current fire station has served us well but is now facing several significant challenges that impact our efficiency and ability to serve you effectively.
Our fire station currently lacks adequate decontamination spaces critical for firefighter health, proper training facilities, and necessary safety features like appropriate ventilation and showers. These limitations not only affect our operational effectiveness but also hinder our efforts in recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. Moreover, the cramped space and insufficient room for equipment compromise our readiness for emergencies.
Recognizing these challenges, we originally considered an addition to our existing structure. However, the addition to the fire station would meet our immediate needs as a fire department, it would not address the broader requirements of the Town’s public works department or EMS department. To ensure a comprehensive solution and careful use of resources, we have developed a plan that will not only upgrade the fire department / EMS facilities but also accommodate all town equipment under existing Public Works, Fire, and EMS building. This approach is aimed at maximizing our investment by building a facility that will serve the community effectively for at least the next 50 years.
Key Project Goals
- Longevity: Construct a facility designed to last at least 50 years.
- Town Equipment: Store and maintain all the town equipment on town property.
- Safety and Health: Meet the NFPA requirement of providing showers within an hour of exposure to contaminants.
- Community Support: Enhance our ability to recruit and retain volunteers, crucial for our operational strength.
- Emergency Readiness: Establish the fire station as a robust emergency operations center for the town.
- Public Safety Together: Both EMS and Fire would be integrated into a single space enhancing the communication and response of this unified front.
- Eliminate Off-Site Storage: Both the Fire Department and Public Works store high value equipment in multiple locations on private property in the town. By storing Town Owned equipment on Town Property, it will enhance insurance coverage, reduce town risk, and ensure quicker response times by keeping critical equipment readily accessible.
By supporting this project, you are investing in the safety and efficiency of our town’s emergency services, ensuring that we can continue to offer the highest level of response in times of need. We are committed to transparency throughout this process and invite any questions, concerns, or suggestions you might have. The Town will be hosting ‘Community Engagement Meetings’ over the next few months to help allow people to gain a better understanding and ask questions. Please see the Town Events Calendar to find scheduled meetings.