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Long Beach celebrates groundbreaking for new Fire Station 9 building
Long Beach Sep 03, 2024
From left: Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan, City Manager Tom Modica, Fifth District CouncilwomanMegan Kerr, Mayor Rex Richardson, Eighth District Councilmember Al Austin,Economic Development's Real Estate Development Bureau Manager Mary Torres, Economic Development Director Bo Martinez and Public Works Director Eric Lopezceremoniously shovel dirt at the Fire Station 9 groundbreaking ceremony held Aug. 27, 2024. | Photo courtesy of City of Long Beach
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On Aug. 27, City of Long Beach officials celebrated the groundbreaking for the new Long Beach Fire Station 9 facility. Located at 4101 Long Beach Blvd., the Fire Station 9 Project includes the demolition of the existing building on site and construction of a new 12,779-square-foot, state-of-the-art two-story fire station and redeveloped site. Construction commenced in June 2024 and is expected to be completed towards the end of 2025.
“The development of our new Fire Station 9 facility marks an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to enhancing public safety across our city,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “This state-of-the-art fire station will provide our dedicated Long Beach Fire Department personnel with the resources they need to continue their exceptional service to our community and safeguard residents and property.”
After completion, the new site will include concrete paving, energy-efficient lighting, drought-tolerant plants and low-flow irrigation systems, fencing and gates, among other features. Additionally, a new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of Long Beach Boulevard and East Randolph Place, and the overhead power lines along Long Beach Boulevard will be moved underground at the station frontage.
The new fire station will provide enhanced services for the community by expanding the capacity from two to five fire trucks. The new location provides optimum response time for the area served by Fire Station 9, and station planning is forward-thinking to address potential changes in future response needs. Apparatus bays in the new station are designed to accommodate alternative fleet combinations for response companies, if needed in the future. The facility will house eight on-duty firefighters and a trainee in a 24-hour shift.
“We are proud to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Fire Station 9 and serve as the new hosting district for this vital public safety asset,” said Fifth District Councilwoman Megan Kerr, who represents the district the new Fire Station 9 will be located in. “This new facility will enhance our ability to respond to emergencies promptly and effectively so that we can best serve our residents.”
“The redevelopment of Fire Station 9 has been a long time coming,” said Eighth District Councilmember Al Austin II, whose district formerly included the previous Fire Station 9 and will be served by the new facility. “The new station will ensure that our community continues to receive the highest level of fire protection and emergency response services.”
The new station is designed to achieve LEED Silver Certification. Energy efficiency design aspects include solar panels on the roof, low-flow plumbing fixtures, LED lighting, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, supported by highly insulated roof and wall assemblies to reduce heating and cooling costs.
“Public safety facilities are an essential part of our communities. The services they provide, whether it is emergency response, medical assistance, or community outreach and education play a vital role in residents’ lives,” said Eric Lopez, Director of Public Works. “Public Works is proud to partner with the Fire Department to deliver this critical facility that helps save lives.”
“As we break ground today for new Fire Station 9, we are not only laying the foundation for a building, we’re building a stronger, safer future for Los Cerritos, Bixby Knolls, California Heights and the surrounding community,” said Long Beach Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan. “This new fire station represents a commitment from the City of Long Beach to invest into critical infrastructure that will protect lives, property, and the environment. Together, with the support of our City leadership and community, the Long Beach Fire Department looks forward to completion of this project as we build a state-of-the-art fire station that will stand far into the future as a symbol of our commitment to safety, readiness and service.”
More information about the Fire Station 9 Project is available on its webpage.
