Title
Proposed Future Fire Station 62 at 93rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road (Ordinance S-47064)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to approve the provision of a new Fire Station (Station 62), which would be located at 93rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. This would include activities to construct, equip, and staff a new 15,000-square-foot, four-bay fire station, one new full-time engine company, one new full-time rescue (ambulance) company, and the associated 22 new positions. Initial estimated capital costs are $7.7 million that would be paid with impact fees. Operating costs for the new station would be built into the General Fund budget upon completion of the station and are estimated at $4 to $4.5 million annually, which includes ongoing costs for sworn personnel, fleet maintenance, fuel, and facility maintenance. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse funds required for this item.
Report
Summary
Over the last decade, the Fire Department service delivery system capacity has remained relatively unchanged (increase of four 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 new Fire Station 62. Fire Station design, plan, and build includes the following proposed three-year cycle: 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 expedited at 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 one new Engine, and one new Rescue, the initial estimated capital cost for the project would be $7.7 million and will be paid for with impact fees. The operating costs for the new station will be built into the General Fund budget upon completion of the station. Operating costs are estimated at $4 million to $4.5 million and includes ongoing costs for sworn personnel, fleet maintenance, fuel, and facility maintenance.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was approved by the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee unanimously on Oct. 14, 2020.
Location
93rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Jeff Barton and the Phoenix Fire Department.