FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 30, 2006

New Fire Station 14 one of several meeting citizen mandate

The City of Kansas City, Mo., dedicated the new Fire Station 14 on Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. with a symbolic uncoupling of fire hoses in lieu of a traditional ribbon-cutting. This is one of several recently completed fire stations that have been repaired, upgraded or built new to meet the strong citizen mandate for improved public safety facilities.

Fire Station 14 is located at 8300 N. Brighton Ave. on the northwest corner of Highway 152 and N. Brighton Ave. This location will better enable the City to provide the most effective emergency response for the growing northland area of Kansas City, Mo.

Representatives from the Fire Department, elected officials and City staff dedicated the new station. After the ceremony, tours of the facility were provided.

"This new station will greatly enhance emergency service to the M-152 corridor area in the northeastern area of the city," said Chief Richard "Smokey" Dyer, Fire Department. "Response times for fire and emergency medical incidents will be significantly reduced now that this new station has been constructed."

Construction of the approximately $5.4 million project began in May 2005 and was substantially complete in October 2006. The project has been funded completely by the quarter-cent sales tax for operation of the Fire Department that includes capital improvements, which Kansas City voters passed in August 2001.

"I am very impressed with the new Fire Station 14, into which we've incorporated durable, quality materials to provide an excellent living and working environment for our most valuable emergency service providers," said Councilwoman Deb Hermann, 1st District at large.

The Capital Improvements Management Office managed the completion of this project using the City’s design-build process. This process uses a single contractor to manage the design and construction phases of project to shorten the length of bid time and expedite project completion. The station was designed by Gossen-Livingston Associates and was constructed by Titan Construction Organization Inc.

"By efficiently delivering capital improvement projects such as this fire station, the City continues to demonstrate its capability in meeting the growing needs of this community," said City Manager Wayne A. Cauthen. "It takes a lot of hard work to ensure the right systems are in place to manage capital projects, but a public safety facility such as this makes the effort exerted over the past three years worthwhile."

The new fire station is a 17,100-square-foot, two-story structure with three bays. An incident command unit and one pumper company are assigned to this facility. The station is the Battalion 103 headquarters and will serve as a one-stop location where fire companies can obtain supplies and training, and refill air and oxygen. As with the other recently completed fire stations, the facility has been built using durable materials and systems to ensure low maintenance and utility costs.

"Over the last 10 years, our planning efforts for this area have always included increased access to public safety resources as a major priority," said Councilman Bill Skaggs, 1st District. "This new station addresses the Northland's planning concerns and enhances the emergency services' presence in this part of Kansas City north of the river."

For more information about Fire Station 14 and the design-build process, visit the Capital Improvements Management Office's Web site (www.kcmo.org/cimo).