Cascade Township, Michigan, September 21, 2022 – Cascade Township Fire Station 1 has moved to a temporary facility as the Township begins construction of a new $10.9 million station located on its current site.
Cascade Township has spent the past several months preparing the 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 in fall 2023.
To maintain proper coverage during peak times, Cascade Township is now dispatching firefighters from and staging response crews at:
- The temporary facility, which is located on Air Cargo Drive SE.
- The Cascade Township Branch of the Kent District Library at 2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE, blocks away from the original site of Fire Station 1 at 2865 Thornhills Ave. SE.
- Parks, restaurants, retailers and other areas throughout the Township.
- Fire Station 2, which is located at 2990 Buttrick Ave. SE.
“Our goal is to ensure we are properly positioned so we can respond rapidly in case of any emergency,” Fire Chief Adam Magers said. “We’ve conducted extensive analysis of peak incident times and high-traffic areas to determine where to post Fire Station 1 response crews throughout the Township. You’ll see an increased presence of our firefighters in the community over the next year, which is intentional on our part.
“We’re excited to begin the construction process, which we expect will take 12-15 months. We appreciate the support and the temporary space from our neighbors at the Ford International Airport. We can’t wait to welcome the community into our new Fire Station 1 next fall.”
The new Fire Station 1 will feature nearly triple the square footage of its former facility, enabling Cascade Township to enhance safety features and to enjoy dedicated training and storage space, among other improvements. Designed with extensive input from the community, the new Fire Station 1 is designed to meet the Fire Department’s goals for the next 75 years.
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 need to ask taxpayers for additional dollars.
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 fire station was originally built in the 1970s as an insulation factory and does 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.
Demolition is slated to begin on the current facility next week. To the extent possible, materials will be recycled as the Thornhills site is cleared so the new station can be built.
This move is the next step in the project, which 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.