Coming in 2020! A NEW Newtown Square Fire Station

Community Spotlight by Newtown Square Fire Company 41 Fire Chief Doug Everlof

In early 2019, the Newtown Square Fire Company broke ground on the construction of its $5.5M fire station located in the Ellis Preserve. To better meet the needs of an expanding community from a logistical and operational perspective, it was necessary for the fire company to relocate.

With input from fire company members, the new fire station was engineered and designed by Linn Architects of Media, and constructed by Pancoast & Clifford Builders of West Chester. This new station will be 21,600 sq. ft. and contain six vehicle bays on a 1.12-acre parcel. By contrast, the 1962 vintage station was 12,600 sq. ft., had four vehicle bays on only .25 acre. We were landlocked on a high traffic density intersection.

Why the need for a new station?

For starters, modern fire apparatus is larger, more complex, and multifunctional. Over the years, our service level has expanded to include a Traffic and Utility vehicle, plus Fire Prevention and Auxiliary trailers.

Architect’s rendering of the new Newtown Square Fire Station coming in 2020

In addition, fire companies are mandated to comply with various National Fire Protection Standards; specifically important is NFPA 1500 Occupations Safety, Health and Wellness. Space was created for the addition of a firefighter gear storage room, to isolate this gear from hazards such as vehicle exhaust and UV rays. A Decontamination Room was added, to allow firefighters to immediately shower and clean gear after a fire, medical or hazmat incident. Many byproducts from exposure to smoke are known carcinogens and have been linked to firefighter deaths from cancer.

A gym has also been added for two reasons: Maintaining health and wellness is crucial in the reduction of heart attacks, musculoskeletal and other injuries related to firefighting. An additional benefit of having a gym is when volunteer members work out in the station, it makes them more readily available to rapidly respond to 911 calls.

Our new station will be equipped with four live-in quarters, and two bunkroom facilities. These live-in accommodations will provide bunking facilities to volunteers in exchange for 40-hours of duty coverage during the nighttime and weekend. The other two bunkrooms will facilitate sleeping arrangements for members on an infrequent basis such as during storm coverage. A hightech training room will accommodate up to 50 personnel and will allow the fire company to host state and nationally certified firefighter and fire police training, and also offer to the outside community training classes, such as CPR and First Aid.

By adding a 3,000 sq. ft. basement, this station will optimize use of space. Beyond housing the building’s mechanicals (utilities, sprinkler and main electrical components), there is sufficient additional space for storing spare fire gear and selfcontained breathing apparatus equipment, and to conduct training year-round.

Our new station is designed to serve our community’s emergency service needs for the next century. We are excited to see its completion, and invite residents to stop in for a visit when the new station is operational next year.

For updates on the new building, visit www.NSFC.org.

Publisher’s Note: The Executive Board of the Newtown Square Fire Company has remarkably managed its finances, hoping to one day build a new home for Fire Station 41. That day is near, thanks to capital reserve funds and low-interest loans. But our new hometown firehouse would not be possible without a Capital Campaign to raise $3 Million by 2024, to pay off construction loans; restore capital reserves; and to purchase apparatus and equipment. If 100% of Newtown Township homeowners respond to this Capital Campaign, our hometown fire company will have no debt and our financial gift will demonstrate our indebtedness to our hometown volunteer firefighting heroes. Let’s do it!