Cascade Township, Michigan, Nov. 2, 2022 – Cascade Township today broke ground on a new $10.9 million Fire Station 1 that will nearly triple the square footage of its former facility and enhance safety features for firefighters.
The new Fire Station 1, which will be located at its current site at 2865 Thornhills Ave. SE, will feature enhanced safety features, additional storage, training space and other amenities designed to improve efficiency and meet or exceed national fire standards. Designed with extensive input from the community, the new Fire Station 1 will be 17,449 square feet of space, compared to 6,300 square feet in the current facility. The new station is designed to meet the Fire Department’s goals for the next 75 years.
Construction of the new Fire Station 1 is slated to be completed fall 2023.
“Today has been a long time coming, and we couldn’t be happier to break ground on this significant investment in the safety and well-being of our community and firefighters,” Cascade Fire Chief Adam Magers said. “This new fire station is the culmination of the fantastic work of our project team, Township officials and members of our community, and we couldn’t be prouder to call this new fire station our future home.
“We can’t wait to open our doors and celebrate with the community next fall.”
The new Fire Station 1 aims to improve the Cascade Fire Department’s ability to respond safely and efficiently to fires and other emergencies while providing firefighters with secure and comfortable living quarters. The former fire station was originally built in the 1970s as an insulation factory and did not meet current National Fire Protection Association standards.
The new Fire Station 1 will feature:
· Four pull-through, double-deep apparatus bays for improved vehicle storage and operability when responding to emergencies.
· A hose tower with new training features for high-rise operations, repelling, window bailouts, confined space searches and ladder operations, among others.
· State-of-the-art emergency dispatching system designed to reduce response times and increase firefighter safety.
· A carcinogen exhaust capture system and decontamination areas for proper sanitation after exposure to harmful contaminates.
· Mechanical zones designed to create a buffer between living space and carcinogens brought in on clothing and gear after fighting fires.
· Private sleeping and changing quarters with gender separation.
· Space for staff and community training and events.
· Increased greenspace and landscaping.
· A new stormwater system that will comply with the Township’s new ordinance.
The cost of construction will be covered with funds already set aside and through a bond that will be paid utilizing existing revenues. The Township will not ask taxpayers for additional dollars.
In September, Fire Station 1 moved to a temporary space, which is located in an air cargo facility at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Firefighters are now based in the temporary facility until construction of the new Fire Station 1 is completed.
To maintain proper coverage during peak times, Cascade Township is now dispatching firefighters from and staging response crews at the temporary facility, the Cascade Township Branch of the Kent District Library, Fire Station 2 and parks, restaurants, retailers and other areas throughout the Township.
The construction of a new Fire Station 1 grew out of the Township’s 2018-19 Facilities Study where residents identified facilities used by the Cascade Fire Department as the Township’s top priority. Throughout the Fire Station 1 project, Township and fire officials collected community input through public engagement sessions, open houses and online surveys.
After Township and fire officials spent months evaluating potential sites, the Board approved recommendations in March 2021 to rebuild and expand Fire Station 1 at its current location due to its easy access to response routes, ideal parcel size, suitable location to accommodate Township growth and lack of relocation expenses.
More information on the Fire Station 1 project, including timelines, past presentations and FAQs, can be found here.