Fire Station No.12, City of Akron

The City of Akron selected DLZ to assist the Akron Engineering Bureau with the design of the new Akron Fire Station, a replacement for the current Station 12. The previous facility had met the end of its useful life, and no longer had the ability to accommodate modern firefighting equipment, training, and safety techniques.

The new 16,800 SF fire station was designed to provide a state-of-the-art facility promoting the health and safety of its firefighters. The program of the new station includes a three-bay apparatus facility, six individual dormitories, captain’s housing, commercial grade kitchen, an extensive fitness room, meeting room, office for police support, and miscellaneous support spaces. Also included is a two and half story hose tower, which serves to hang hoses as well as double as a training area for climbing and repelling. Ample room for a variety of firefighting vehicles, equipment, and training provides the needed flexibility to meet the future needs of the department.

With careful planning and dialog with Akron’s fire team, the facility will have a series of features to assist the firefighters with decontamination of gear and small equipment to aid in the removal of carcinogens and other harmful particulates from individuals returning from a call. Each area is distinguished and separated into zones based on their safety levels ‘green’, ‘yellow’, and ‘red’ zones.

The selected site for the new station had multiple geotechnical issues that required additional engineering and remediation techniques. DLZ worked closely with the owner and contractors to ensure proper steps were taken to construct a successful facility. Construction is scheduled to be completed by October 2024, marking the opening of the brand-new station and a revitalization of the surrounding area.