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Fire Station 7 - Fairlington

Community Update

Arlington County Fire Department

October 9, 2019

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Fire Station 7 Findings

• During proactive facility inspections, Station 7 crews reported “creaking noises” while in the basement dormitory under the fire engine.

• Station 7 temporarily closed on October 30, 2018.

• Department of Environmental Services conducted structural analysis.

• Estimated restoration costs are $3-6 million.

• Surrounding stations provide adequate emergency service.

• Fire Chief recommends permanently closing Station 7.

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Fire Station Function and Requirements

• Station 7 is 3,000 total sq. ft. with one apparatus bay (one engine, no medic unit)

• Stations 3 with four bays is at least 14,000 total sq. ft.

• Station 7 does not have modern facilities• No drive through apparatus bay(s)• No dedicated fitness or wellness facilities• No decontamination and separation of

clean/dirty spaces• No training or drill spaces

Station 7

Station 3

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Fairlington EMS, Fire, and Rescue Profile

• Number of emergency incidents per year is the lowest in the county.

• Average 1.75 emergency incidents per day in the community.

• Property loss from fires over a ten year period is the lowest in the county.

• Number of injuries or deaths from fires are the lowest in the county.

• Number of acute medical calls are the lowest.

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1500

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4500

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

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Fire Station First Due Incidents by Year

Sta. 1 Sta. 2 Sta. 3 Sta. 4 Sta. 5

Sta. 6 Sta. 7 Sta. 8 Sta. 9 Sta. 10

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Travel Time to Emergency Incidents

• Four surrounding fire stations are within a modeled four minute response time.• Station 109 - 1900 South Walter Reed

Drive, Arlington is within three minutes of travel time to north Fairlington.

• Station 203 - 2801 Cameron Mills Road, Alexandria is within two minutes of travel time to south Fairlington.

• Station 206 (4609 Seminary Road) and Station 410 (3601 Fire House Lane) near Baileys Crossroads are within four minutes travel time.

• Average travel time increased by 62 seconds.

Station 107

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First Arriving Unit to Station 7’s Area

247

26

62

224 8

52

3

158

93

4520 29

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Engine 107 Engine 109 Medic 109 Rescue 109 Engine 203 Medic 203 Other

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Engine 107 at Station 7 (2/1/18-10/30/18)

Engine 107 at Station 4 (10/31/18-7/31/19)

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Fire Stations Surrounding Fairlington

Arlington42%

Alexandria52%

Fairfax6%

Other0%

Engine 7 Dispatches from Station 72/1/2018 - 10/30/2018

Arlington98%

Alexandria0%

Fairfax1% Other

1%

Engine 7 Dispatches from Station 410/31/18 - 7/31/2019

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Fire Department Services to Fairlington

• Continual evaluation of emergency services.

• Station 9 will provide community engagement and education.

• Station commander and PIO will connect with community leaders on a regular basis.

• Operation Fire Safe and prevention programs will continue.

• Fire Department is committed to providing emergency services to changing county.

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Facility Condition & Site Characteristics

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Site Characteristics• Parcel size - 3,444 square feet

• PS Zoning

• Building directly abuts property lines, without setbacks

• Contributing historic resource in the Fairlington National Historic District

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Facility Background & ConditionHistory & Layout

• Constructed in 1940; addition in 1983

• Total 3,000 SF

• Fire use

• Ground level –single apparatus bay; kitchen; staff office & small work space

• Lower level – two bunk rooms; two bathrooms; & utility rooms

• Community interests

Floor Plan -- 1

Floor Plan -- 2

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Recent ADA & Structural Assessments

• ADA issues• Elevator to lower level – would

require land acquisition & possibly zoning setback issues

• Provide restrooms on both levels• Insufficient parking

• Structural issues

• Estimated $3-6 million to restore / renovate

Floor Plan -- 1

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Next Steps• County Manager final decision on fire services at this location

• What would process for determining reuse of the site look like? • Three to twelve month process

• Initial step• Additional review of the site and its opportunities and constraints

• Input from the community on its ideas for reuse

• Review of possible County and Community uses

• Next steps – process will evolve• Develop criteria for selection— such as neighborhood context, cost, feasibility

• Evaluation of possible options and process for selection

• Community engagement is priority

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Questions?