New Chappaqua Fire Station Plans

[FF402 133]

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New fire stations don’t come cheap.

Just check out the $15.3 million plan to double the size of the Chappaqua Fire Department’s headquarters at the corner of King Street and Route 120, just a mile down the road from Bill and Hillary Clinton’s homes on Old House Lane.

The borrowing plan, which goes before Chappaqua voters on Oct. 25, will cost taxpayers about $900,000 a year for 26 years. It will increase spending by 70 percent in the New Castle Fire District, driving its annual budget from $1.3 million to $2.2 million.

 

 

http://www.lohud.com/story/money/personal-finance/taxes/tax-watch/2016/10/13/chappaqua-fire-referendum/91965978/

 

[fire patrol nyc 153]

Maybe the new admin. in Washington will help.....maybe not.....let's see.....

[BBBMF 158]

Pray to God that they have no part of the Washington Administration come 2017.

[dwcfireman 656]

$15.3 MILLION!?  Really?

[FF402 133]

Here's the official response:
 

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The New Castle Fire District #1 Board of Commissioners welcomes public discussion about the proposed expansion of the Bedford Road Firehouse and bond referendum taking place on October 25th. We would like to clarify several points of information regarding the proposed consolidation, renovations and additions. These topics were addressed at our three public information sessions held on March 20th, September 18th and October 5th (video recording of sessions 2 & 3 may be viewed at NCCMC). There was also discussion of the project with the New Castle Town Planning Board on the following dates: Work Session with the Board of Fire Commissioners 6/14/16, Informal Hearings held on 4/5/16, 5/3/16, 7/19/16, 9/13/16, and Public Hearings held on 9/20/16, 10/5/16 with an additional Public Hearing scheduled for 10/18/16. Those meeting videos are available at by accessing the Town Site. Discussions regarding the plan for consolidation, up-grades and expansion have been listed on the District Agenda, can be found in the District Minutes for the past 2 years and discussions can be found in Minutes dating back to 2003. In addition the Board voted unanimously to proceed with the project in mid 2015. Further information is available at the District’s website (NCFD1.org). There have been concerns expressed about the project and timing of the referendum. We would like to address these topics here and invite you to learn more by going to our website.
Size and the Apparatus Bays: There has been discussion about the number of vehicles and the number and size of bays in the proposed firehouse. A 2013 Emergency Vehicle Report reviewed the Department’s fleet listed ten vehicles including seven 1st and 2nd line apparatus, one boat with trailer, and two antiques. Three drive-through bays are planned for the expansion area of the proposed building. These bays will house the most frequently used apparatus. There was much discussion with the Town Planning Board about the importance of drive-through bays to maintain a high level of safety when volunteers are responding. According to FEMA’s publication Health & Safety Considerations for the Design of Fire and EMA Services Stations, “a significant number of incidents and injuries are related to vehicular use around stations. A number of these accidents can be eliminated by using a drive-through feature. Most in-station vehicular accidents are the result of apparatus backing up.” The new bays will be taller and wider than the current bays. This will allow for recommended safety clearances around the trucks during emergency response and apparatus/equipment maintenance. The District, architect, and civil engineer worked closely with the Planning Board for several months reviewing alternate plans and confirmed that the current plan best fits the site and meets the Town’s requirements. It was confirmed that the two bays in the 1970’s addition section of the station cannot be converted to drive-through due to site constraints and these bays will house necessary but less frequently used apparatus. Overall, this leaves one vacant space in the apparatus bays for any required future growth of the fleet.
Why a “Museum”? The apparatus bay in the oldest part of the building can no longer be used as a working bay due to the small size of the doors and the large size of a modern fire truck. Approximately 50% of the bay, the portion closest to the overhead doors, will be saved to house two antiques, including a vintage 1850 hose carriage and a 1937 Mack pumper. We refer to this as “the museum” the term simply defines the space. It’s not the Smithsonian! The construction costs related to this space are approximately 0.7% of the total construction costs, and approximately 0.5% of the total project cost (less than 1%). This means that the cost of the museum for the average home is approximately $1 per year. (The antiques are currently stored at the Senter Street Station. Future plans call for that station to be sold to help defray costs of the Bedford Road project.) These antiques help to tell the story of the Chappaqua Fire Department’s 100+ year strong tradition of volunteerism. The District will also proudly display historical documents and photos as well as a myriad of Fire Department memorabilia. Throughout New York State and the nation, volunteer fire companies proudly display their antiques as a reminder to the community of their commitment and as inspiration to members and future members.
Bunk Room: The planned bunking area in the oldest part of the building will occupy 1,146 square feet - less than 2% of the proposed project cost. Bunking will be used during weather and other emergencies. In fact during the last 6 years the Department had 21 Standby’s with an average of 20 members in quarters for the duration of the incident. This space will include a bed, small table, light and a place to hang a set of clothing – nothing more. The Chief will initiate the Standby, members will report to the Firehouse ready to respond in the event of an alarm. Information disseminated through various social media sites is untrue. There are no plans for “suites” rather 4 rooms each including 2 beds with night stand, lamp and storage cabinet and 1 room with 1 bed with a night stand, lamp and storage cabinet. The spaces will range in size from 156 square feet to 84 square feet. In addition, the proposal allows for potential full-time bunking in the event the Fire Department needs to hire paid firefighters in the future. This is planning that recognizes clear national trends, decreasing numbers of new recruits, aging volunteers, and increased requirements for training hours and therefore increased demands on volunteers. While we currently have a dedicated group of volunteers and promote recruitment and retention, we cannot be assured that we will always be able to rely on volunteers. It is realistic and prudent to incorporate bunking capacity into the station at this time.
The Role of the Fire District: The New Castle Fire District No. 1 is one of more than 850 fire districts in New York State. The districts are political subdivisions of the State charged with overseeing the non-firematic operations of the Fire District, including financial operations, implementing regulations, and ensuring the safety of the Fire Department members. Administered by an elected body, the five member Board of Commissioners. Monthly meetings are open to the public. With the safety of the community and volunteers and our fiduciary responsibility in mind, we began talking about and planning for improvements to the Bedford Rd. Firehouse more than ten years ago. The experiences of our firefighters, as well as several studies looking at our facilities & apparatus, helped us to determine the need for consolidation of assets, expansion and improvements at Bedford Rd. The design is based on functional needs taken room-by-room, ADA regulations, gender equity, and health & safety standards for firefighters.
The District has been painstakingly diligent in seeking the right design for the Community. This project is designed to keep our firefighters safe and enable the Department to continue to provide exceptional fire service to our residents. By consolidating District assets we feel our firefighters will be well served and ensure they have a clean and safe environment to work, clean their gear and clothing if contaminated as well as train, work out and have a space for classroom presentations. It is important to note that our members train together, attend meetings together and respond as a team. To have an area for them to get to know one another and, in turn, develop a mutual respect for one another is imperative. Each member must know they trust the ability of fellow firefighters in the event of an emergency at the scene of a working fire, car accident, rescue or any other dangerous, life threatening event.

 

 

[dwcfireman 656]

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A 2013 Emergency Vehicle Report reviewed the Department’s fleet listed ten vehicles including seven 1st and 2nd line apparatus, one boat with trailer, and two antiques.

 

I'm having a little trouble wrapping my head around this statement.  I understand it's in reference to the need for larger drive-thru bays, but what exactly are the front line and secondary apparatus?  My research has turned up two engines, a tower ladder, and a rescue.  I imagine that one of the engines is considered secondary, therefore the front line engine, ladder, and rescue will occupy the three drive-thru bays.  The boat and several utility vehicles I obviously understand are secondary and would go into the old bays (not the aforementioned museum).  I guess the question I'm reaching for here is what is considered 1st line and what is 2nd line in the eyes of the Board of Commissioners?

 

Additionally, I have to ask about the location of Chappaqua VAC.  Are they also located in HQ?  I'm asking because if they are, do the new plans incorporate space for the ambulances and crews, or is there a CVAC building that I am not aware of?

[BFD2553 75]

I believe the ambulance corps has their own building near the post office.

[gamewell45 258]

5 hours ago, FF402 said:

Here's the official response:
 

 

Looks like the Board of Fire Commissioners did their homework; now all they have to do is sell it to the public.

[kinkchaser 352]

Drive thru ???? How will anyone know how to back up

[FF402 133]

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Voters defeated the proposal 632-105 on Tuesday, according to results provided by the town clerk. Voters waited up to 80 minutes to vote.

 

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/new-castle/2016/10/26/chappaqua-fire-station-expansion-rejected/92765618/

[gamewell45 258]

13 minutes ago, FF402 said:

 

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/new-castle/2016/10/26/chappaqua-fire-station-expansion-rejected/92765618/

There you have it; democracy in action.  Perhaps a much scaled down version can be presented to the public down the road.

[fire patrol nyc 153]

A victory for cool heads and common "cents"...

[psyanide 11]

Please refer to the district/commissioner's website for publicly available information on the project as well as their public feedback.  The website contains contact information and how to reach them if you have questions or comments for them.  Here is a list of the public information release on the expansion:  http://www.ncfd1.org/Expansion.php

 

[FF402 133]

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The results of the NCFD#1 Property Purchase, Building Demolition and Site Clean up Referendum last night. The referendum passed 198 in favor vs 111 opposed.