Dallas Fire Rescue has reopened a station that was reconstructed to try to reduce firefighters' exposure to contaminated material that may contribute to increased cancer rates. The construction of Fire Station 46 was included in the 2017 bond.
The project included rebuilding the station into three different areas: the area where the engines are kept, a transition area and living space.
Firefighters can leave equipment that may be contaminated in the apparatus area. They then move to the transition area before returning to the living area.
"That area is actually negative pressurized, so any possible contaminants that come in from the apparatus bay get sucked in and expelled out into the atmosphere," says Dallas Fire Rescue Lieutenant Nelson Rossy. "Nothing comes into the living space."
Rossy says the station also has a bigger fitness area, which can reduce firefighters' exposure to contaminated material.
"Historically, if you go into our fire stations, the guys are still working out in the apparatus bay, so it defeats the purpose of having a transition zone," he says.
The station also includes additional equipment for wildland fires, and Dallas Fire Rescue's wildland firefighting coordinator will relocate to the station.
"When you have a quality facility like this, it says we expect first-rate, first-quality in this community," says Dallas City Councilman Casey Thomas.
Thomas says the fire station will have the newest equipment but also surveillance equipment, better lighting and better landscaping. He says the city's investment in the station can help build community interest and lead to people working to make their neighborhood better.
"When you drove by before, you saw an old, dilapidated fire station," he says. "Perception is reality."
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