A Safer, Energy Efficient, Fossil Fuel Free Fire Station for the Community
On Tuesday, January 19, 2021, the staff from Alfandre Architecture, PC attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the brand new New Paltz firehouse and emergency operations center. A small, brief gathering of fire, local, county, and state officials abiding by Coronavirus safety protocols was held at the site of the new building on the corner of Henry W. DuBois Drive and North Putt Corners Road.
We’re watching the progress as the project develops and are excited to be involved in the design of this new energy-efficient station. The 16,000 square foot facility will replace the fire department’s current facility located at 25 Plattekill Avenue and will have an emphasis on safety and energy efficiency.
High-efficiency heating and cooling will be provided using a VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) Heat pump system. The Apparatus Bay will have Radiant flooring heat. The remainder of the building will have multiple zones of space conditioning. Ventilation will be provided by the use of an ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilation) system to provide fresh air throughout the building.
No Fossil Fuels Required
The roof structure is oriented to allow for a large array of solar panels if the Village wants to install a solar system in the future. The building will obtain its power supply through renewable electric resources, so it will not require the use of fossil fuels for daily operations. The project, which will cost $6.6 million, will include five double-bays for fire vehicles, meeting rooms and offices, a separate turnout gear changing room, and a flexible design to allow for both in-house training and emergency command areas.
New Paltz Mayor Tim Rogers says, “Firefighters take enough risks at calls so we should be especially proud that this building will include a superior ventilation system and accommodations to clean and handle turnout gear more responsibly to better protect our firefighters’ health. The training hours to become a firefighter and then continue to be an active member are awe-inspiring. The new station was designed to be much better at facilitating that very important training.”
An Ultra-Energy Efficient and Resilient Facility
Alfandre Architecture, PC designed the state-of-the-art building in collaboration with the firefighters and engineers so that it makes fiscal sense for the taxpayers and includes state-of-the-art firematic features. “Alfandre Architecture PC’s expertise with some grant assistance from NYSERDA helped us a great deal to make this building cutting-edge environmentally. Our community will be proud,” said Mayor Tim Rogers.
The project has been in the works since 2015 and was awarded a $5 million grant by the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irene and Lee. The new ultra-energy efficient and resilient facility will replace the current Plattekill fire department which has served the community since July 1950. Town of New Paltz Supervisor Neil Bettez says, “I’m glad the Town and Village were able to come together to strengthen the resilience of our community in this way.”
Firefighters are Excited to Have a New Facility
The New Paltz Fire Department is the busiest volunteer fire department in Ulster County, answering an average of two calls per day. The department’s membership consists of an average of 30 firefighters and apparatus drivers residing in the Village and Town of New Paltz. It currently operates two engines, a rescue pumper, supply pumper, tanker, a brush/fire police truck, a rescue boat, a utility off-road vehicle, and the pride of the fleet, a 100-foot platform ladder truck.
“The firefighters are excited to have a new facility to train in, respond from, and bond together in. This will definitely expand our ability to continue providing exemplary service to the community” said NPFD Chief Cory Wirthmann. The facility will serve the New Paltz Fire Department and the local community for generations to come.
