Designing a fire station or facility can be both exciting and daunting. Whether it’s your first station or your 20th, each project breeds new challenges and marks a significant investment in the future. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be alone on the journey.
When FIRE CHIEF held its first-ever Station Style Conference in 2006, the goal was to pair emergency services leaders with experienced design professionals who would help departments design and build facilities to meet their evolving missions. Based on attendee input after that conference in Phoenix and last year’s event in Denver, we have made several improvements for the 2008 Station Style Conference, which will be held April 26–29 in Phoenix.
This year’s conference will feature more presentations by end-users and department personnel. Presenters for the general session this year will include several fire chiefs from across the country who have experience in building multiple stations.
No conference programs are scheduled for Saturday, April 26, but those who arrive early can participate in a golf scramble. The event will run from 12:30 p.m. until evening and promises networking opportunities and friendly competition, followed by dinner and prizes.
The preconference program begins on Sunday, April 27, and features two sessions. The first is a re-organized program for fire and emergency personnel called “Beginning Design.” Nine architects will offer ideas and guidance and answer your question one on one. The program will be limited to 100 fire department personnel or 40 departments.
The second preconference session, “Experience Speaks,” is designed primarily for architects and will be moderated by Editor Rick Markley. Several chiefs from across the country will share their experiences in building fire and emergency facilities.
Breaks will be provided that day. In the afternoon, attendees will have the opportunity to tour Phoenix fire stations in various stages of development.
The conference opens with the general session on Monday, April 28. Afternoon breakout sessions will cover air-quality systems, doors and windows, and flooring. The day will conclude with a reception.
A second general session will bring the conference to a close on Tuesday, April 29. Attendees will be provided with breakfast, lunch and breaks on Monday and Tuesday.
FIRE CHIEF has secured a special conference rate at the downtown Wyndham Hotel Phoenix, which is located within walking distance of a wide range of dinner options.
Registration is now open for the conference. For more information, a complete agenda and speaker notes, or to register, click here.
I hope to see you in Phoenix.
January 25th, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
I have just completed four new Fire Stations in the past two and a half years. I have some insight into building fire stations in coastal regions to category 5 hurricane wind and pressure ratings. We were on the periferal edges of Hurricane Charley in 2004 which caused our neighboring County to loose the use of 5 five stations. We have just completed 12 million dollars in new station construction with two more to go to bring our 10 Stations up to self imposed standards for sustainability, survivability and extended life cycle. Our City has at least ten more fire stations to build by our eventual build-out so it is important to get it right the first time everytime We are replacing several existing programmed stations as a part of this fortification initiative. Thomas Tomich, Division Chief City of Cape Coral Florida.