December 18, 2024 3:30 a.m.
The Sutherlin City Council recently approved a contract amendment for the Seismic Rehabilitation Grant for the Sutherlin Fire Station.
A city release said SFD command staff have been working diligently for the past two years towards this grant with additional upgrades with support from the city’s Community Development Department and Finance Department. The grant covers the cost of the design and construction to bring the fire station up to the latest standards of seismic integrity in hopes of preventing significant damage from an earthquake. The City of Sutherlin previously selected ZCS Engineering for the design and project management and S+B James as the General Contractor.
In addition, infrastructure upgrades are taking place, increasing the safety of firefighters and operations of the fire department. Upgrades include a vehicle exhaust collection system, LED lighting, replacing an aging electrical panel, upgrading the fire station tapout system, replacing a 28-year-old turnout washer and adding an extension to one apparatus bay to ensure space needed for a future ladder truck. Additionally, the extension of the bay will give firefighters a work area and will create a safety buffer between firefighters and multiple air compressors that require hearing protection. The grant will also provide the fire station with new roofs, correcting water leaks in the station and apparatus bays, as well as making the fire department more efficient for both utilities and operations, while safer for firefighters.
Fire Chief Mike Lane said, “We are excited to begin the seismic upgrade to the main fire station”. Lane said, “This allows us the opportunity to make some changes that will enhance our ability to respond when the public needs us in an emergency. We are also adding some features that will provide a cleaner and safer working environment for our firefighters on a daily basis”.
The release said construction is slated to begin just after January 1st and take approximately three to five months to complete. During the first phase of construction, firefighters will be working and living in mobile living quarters on the fire department property.