The Bainbridge Island Fire Department is rolling out plans for its two new fire stations and will begin staffing its third station by summer.
Demolition of the headquarters on Madison Avenue North, Station 21, is scheduled for late summer or early fall. The department is considering whether to rebuild Station 22 on Bucklin Hill Road at the same time as the headquarters or wait until the first station is complete, Fire Chief Hank Teran said.
Construction of a new two-story, 30,760-square-foot headquarters — which will be in the same location as the current station — is expected to be finished 14 months after the demolition begins.
The facility will have more space for equipment, fire engines and private bed space for firefighters. The station currently has five beds and six bays for engines, ambulances and large water tank trucks, while plans for the new station include 11 beds and eight bays, said Luke Carpenter, assistant fire chief.
The new bays will have larger doors, making it easier for modern engines and vehicles to get in and out compared to the 42-year-old station. As fire equipment and vehicles have become bigger throughout the years, the older stations have made it difficult to store them, Teran said. Station 22 is 56 years old.
Plans for the new headquarters station, designed by the Mackenzie architecture firm, also include a library, gym and community room on the first floor for public meeting space.
"We consider these community buildings," Teran said.
The second floor will house offices and a conference room for the fire department's use.