Town of Newton New Fire & EMS Facility

Our fire station, built in 1963 and last upgraded in 1991, is facing multiple challenges that hinder our ability to serve you effectively. These include inadequate space for equipment and personnel, lack of modern safety features such as proper ventilation and decontamination areas, and outdated training facilities. These upgrades are crucial not only for firefighter safety but also to enhance our response capabilities in emergencies.

The planned improvements aim to address all current shortcomings. Key upgrades include:

• Expanding the decontamination area to ensure health and safety standards.
• Installing modern ventilation systems to improve air quality and safety.
• Constructing additional showers to meet NFPA standards, ensuring all firefighters can decontaminate within an hour after exposure to hazardous substances.
• Enhancing the training facilities to prepare our team for a variety of emergency scenarios.
• Expanding the storage space to accommodate all necessary equipment under one roof.

The safety and efficiency of our fire services are crucial for ensuring rapid response to emergencies, which ultimately protects lives and properties. Investing in this facility not only enhances immediate response capabilities but also secures a long-term safety infrastructure. We strive to balance all community needs and believe that public safety is foundational.

The upgraded facility will significantly enhance our operational efficiency and readiness, ensuring quicker and more effective responses to emergencies. It will also serve as an emergency operations center, becoming a hub for coordination during major incidents, which is vital for community safety. Additionally, the improved environment will aid in recruiting and retaining volunteers, which is essential for maintaining a robust response team.

Beyond enhancing emergency response capabilities, the new fire station will serve as a community hub for safety training and education. This benefits every citizen by improving overall community safety awareness and preparedness.

The total cost, projected between $5.5 – $6.5 million, is still being finalized as we ensure all community and operational needs are met. Funding would come from a combination of municipal loans, potential grants, and possibly an increase in local taxes, subject to community approval. We are committed to transparency and fiscal responsibility throughout this process.

• The top two causes of death in Fire Fighters is Cardiac Issues (heart attack) or Cancer.
• Physical Fitness Maintenance: Having a workout room on-site allows firefighters to maintain and improve their physical fitness, which is crucial for safely and efficiently performing their duties.
• Readiness and Response Time: By having a workout room in the facility, the community has an opportunity for more daytime coverage and quicker response time with individuals already at the facility.
• Team Cohesion: A workout room also serves as a space for team building and camaraderie.
• Recruitment and Retention: Facilities that include amenities like a workout room can be more attractive to potential volunteers. They demonstrate the department’s commitment to the health and well-being of its members, which can be a key factor in recruiting new volunteers and retaining current ones.

Construction will last approximately 12 months. We will remain in the existing facility and there should not be an impact on service or response.

Community involvement is crucial, and we encourage feedback and questions. You can attend town hall meetings, where updates and discussions have been and will continue to take place. We also welcome emails, phone calls, or visits during our open hours at the department. All contact information and event dates will be regularly updated on our website and local bulletin boards.

A new station will allow each truck to have its own stall. The doors are as close together as construction will allow and still get the proper door mechanics in between.

The extra space behind the trucks allows for indoor training. With time coming at a premium we want to be able to practice certain exercises regardless of weather conditions (second-story ladder work, rope work, search & rescue drills, SCBA confidence drills, obstacle course work etc.). It also allows us to be able to properly package hose. Currently every time we need to package hose or wash hose we have to move equipment outside in order to perform required tasks.

We currently have (3) engines, (2) water trucks, (1) rescue equipment unit, (1) rescue squad , (1) utility pickup truck, (1) Kubota, and (1) Polaris with Fire Skid. The current facility does not have enough room for all of the existing equipment to be stored in a single location. The proposed apparatus bays would allow everything to be housed in a single location, and some room for a ‘future’ piece of equipment.