Standing next to Mayor Berke in the center is City Councilman Ken Smith, who represents District 3 in Hixson. His two children, Steel (left) and Slate (right) provide extra help with the ceremonial shovel digging.
photo by Bruce Garner
Mayor Andy Berke and members of the city council gathered on a small plot of land in Hixson on Friday to break ground for a new fire station.
Station 11 will be at 6418 Hixson Pike and will serve the northern-most part of Hixson and the Big Ridge area.
Mayor Berke said the new station will enhance emergency services in the Hixson area by providing highly trained first responders right where they are needed.
Construction is expected to start within the next 30 days and will take approximately 195 calendar days to complete.
Station 11 facts:
General Information:
· Construction scheduled to begin in approximately 30 days.
Completion of the project is expected to take approximately 195 calendar days.
Station 11 will cost approximately $2 million to build.
Building designed by River Street Architects.
· General Contractor: B & W Contractors, DBA Cherokee Construction Company
· Maximum staffing at the station will be 15 firefighters, with 5 working each of the three shifts.
· Station 11 will house a new pumper. A pumper carries 1,400 feet of supply line and several hundred feet of fire attack lines, nozzles, hose couplings and related equipment. It also carries 500 gallons of water, for quick attack on a fire, which is critical to fire control until they can establish a dedicated water supply from a fire hydrant.
· Station 11 will primarily serve the Hixson and Big Ridge areas.
· Meets the fire protection requirements as set forth in the annexation plan of services.
· This is the 20th fire station operated by the Chattanooga Fire Department.
Features of the new station:
· One-story, two-bay fire station.
· 6000 square feet, includes accommodations for two fire companies, living/training room and offices.
· A “green” building in design and energy efficiency. Seeking LEED certification. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was developed by the U.S. Building Council to establish standards for environmentally sustainable construction.
· Heat reflective paving and roofing.
· The building and surrounding site has a storm-water runoff system that features a water retention area with native vegetation.
· High-efficiency heating/cooling system.
· Building orientation and windows maximize natural light on the interior.
· Durable, low-maintenance materials used throughout that are low-to-zero VOC off-gassing.
· High-efficiency plumbing and light fixtures with occupancy and daylight sensors. Low maintenance floors.
· Residential sprinkler system in sleeping areas.