Paullina, Iowa (OCBTC) – The Paullina Fire Department hosted its first open house since obtaining drawings and plans for its long-sought EMS building. Working with RML Architects LLC of Sioux City, Ryan Harper, Paullina Fire Chief, unveiled their plans.
The O’Brien County Bell-Times-Courier reports that the proposed new facility boasts 4 bays for fire trucks with 14’x14′ bay doors. The current fire station doors are just 10 feet high, putting unworkable limitations on emergency vehicles for both fire and ambulance. Two of the bays in the proposed project are drive-through (doors at both ends) and one features vehicle and hose washing capabilities. An ambulance bay with storage and lockers is included in the construction. The vehicle bays are planned for the north half of the concrete prefab structure.
A large training/meeting room, featuring a seating capacity of up to 50 people enabling larger area classes and training events to be held in Paullina, a fitness area and fire office line up on the south side of the building. A covered outside patio is prominent on the south side. The center of the building is filled with safety and convenience features aimed at improving occupational health of the fire personnel. A room with specialized equipment to launder the gear and showers to remove fire debris, now known to pose a risk to the health of firefighters is a feature that supports the volunteerism of emergency response personnel. The design includes a negative pressure room. These rooms are designed to further remove such dangerous debris even further from clothing and body. According to Chief Harper, it’s anticipated that regulations will be passed in the not to distant future to require the negative pressure rooms and not provide a grandfather clause to not provide one. Rest rooms, locker rooms and a kitchen.
The project cost estimates currently are $3.4 million. Harper said the timeline to break ground is for 2026. Fundraisers are planned to help fund the project through the not for profit operated by the fire department. Follow O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier for progress toward a new fire station.
(Image) Paullina Fire Chief Ryan Harper presents the plans for a new EMA building. The fire department purchased and cleared property north of Paullina at the intersection of Redwing Ave. and Swanson Street.
Story and photo courtesy of our news partner, O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier
