Title
Proposed Future Fire Station 62 at 93rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road
Description
This report requests the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee recommend City Council approval for the provision of a new Fire Station (Station 62), which would be located at 93rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road.
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
Over the last decade, the Fire Department service delivery system capacity has remained relatively unchanged (increase of 4 percent), while the demand for service delivery has increased by over 40 percent. As a result, response times to portions of the City have continued to rise and currently do not meet the established National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 90th percentile standard.
While the increasing demand for service and corresponding increasing response times are occurring across the City, the recent completion of L-202 in southwest Phoenix has caused that portion of the City to be the most impacted. Simply put, growth has outpaced the Department’s service delivery capacity for this area of the City. Because both residential and commercial growth in Southwest Phoenix is currently forecasted to remain robust for the foreseeable future, the negative impact to service delivery is expected to continue.
After a comprehensive analysis of the Department’s current capacity, response times, volume of calls for service, and projected growth, the Fire Department is requesting approval to construct, equip and staff a new Fire Station (Station 62), which would be located at 93rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. Specifically, the Department is requesting a new 4-bay Fire Station, 1 new full-time Engine Company, and 1 new full-time Rescue (ambulance) Company, which is composed of 22 new positions.
Fire Station design, plan, and build includes the following three cycles: year one land acquisition, year two station design, and year three station build. Because the City of Phoenix currently owns the property, the timeline is estimated to be two years for completion once approval and funding are received.
Financial Impact
Based on the Department’s request to build an approximately 15,000 square foot station, and the addition of 1 new Engine, and 1 new Rescue, the initial estimated capital cost for the project would be $7.7 million dollars and will be paid for with impact fees. Operating costs for the new station will be built into the General Fund budget upon completion of the station. Costs are estimated at $4.0 million to $4.5 million and includes ongoing costs for sworn personnel, fleet maintenance, fuel, and facility maintenance.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Jeff Barton and the Phoenix Fire Department.