The New OCFD6 Winthrop Station

The Need for a Replacement Station

Crowded street with engineFirefighters operating out of the Winthrop Station are at unduly high physical risk because of the tight operating conditions around the emergency vehicles and unduly high health risk due to lack of decontamination facilities and an air filtration system. These risks not only affect the firefighters, but also their families, and all of the citizens of the Valley.

Okanogan County Fire District 6 and the Winthrop Fire Department have been housed together in a residential neighborhood at the Englar Street Station for over 60 years. Over the years the station has gone through many modifications and expansion as the demand for more emergency services grew. Now there is no more space available at the site to meet today’s needs let alone future needs as the Methow Valley communities continue to grow. Population projections indicate significant growth within District 6 during the next 5 years. The pressure of more people, homes, and traffic will result in more emergency response incidents and a higher public demand on District 6 firefighters.

     There are compelling reasons why a replacement station is needed now:

  • Crowded fire stationThe current Winthrop Station puts our volunteer firefighters at personal risk.
  • The current station does not meet National and State requirements as an Essential Facility
  • The current Winthrop Station site cannot be expanded to meet current needs let alone needs over the next 5 to 10 years; for example:
    • Insufficient emergency vehicle bays (numbers and size)
    • Insufficient responder outside parking
    • Inadequate outside training area
    • Inadequate classroom training area
    • Inadequate snow removal area
    • Vehicle bays are too narrow, too short, and too low for safe fire vehicle operations and personnel safety
    • Inadequate and unsafe equipment donning and doffing area for firefighters
    • Lack of space for equipment storage
    • Vehicle and equipment maintenance areas
    • Shop facilities
    • No personnel decontamination showers
    • Inadequate equipment decontamination facilities
    • Inadequate restroom facilities
    • No ventilation, air filtration, and air conditioning system in office, training, and work areas
    • Vehicle maintenance and fire hose washing must be performed outside, year round, due to lack of interior space and drains
    • Safety hazards exist for staff and volunteers working in the building and when preparing to respond to incidents.

The ‘Okanogan County Hazard Mitigation Plan’ lists the replacement of the Winthrop Fire Station as a ‘high priority.’ To begin the replacement process OCFD 6 Commissioners conducted a study of station requirements and hired an architect, who specializes in fire station design, to develop preliminary plans for the station. Also, District 6 recently purchased property which places the new station in a central location, removes the station from a residential neighborhood, and provides for safer year round operations.

In order for the project to proceed the District needs approval from the voters for a levy lift. This would provide funding for much needed capital improvements to the stations in Carlton and Mazama and for construction of the Winthrop Station.

 

The New Station

The new OCFD6 Station in Winthrop will  be located on a five acre site on Horizon Flats Road. The site provides sufficient space for the station building and space for exterior training grounds. The site is already owned by OCFD6 and the land has been annexed by the Town of Winthrop. Town water and sewage hookups are available at the site.

The Station is designed to have a low profile and site plans provide for a tree and shrubbery buffer zone from Horizon Flats Road. The fire station provides a low impact buffer from the existing industrial area of Horizon Flats to the multi-family and single family area along the lower section of the road.  

Adequate facilities for training and keeping complex vehicles and equipment in good operating condition are critical to the response time, effectiveness, and safety of the firefighters who serve the emergency response needs of the public.
This facility will meet these needs.

Most importantly the Station provides a safe working environment for your firefighters - our community volunteers.

The new station provides:

  • New Station EntranceSpace for six (6) full size modern emergency response vehicles with proper State required clearances
  • Year round direct and safe access to Highway 20
  • Sufficient indoor space for year round  maintenance of vehicles and equipment
  • Training classroom facilities that are large enough to accommodate all District volunteers and are available for public use
  • Firefighter decontamination shower
  • Equipment decontamination facilities
  • Public restrooms
  • Adequate equipment maintenance and hose storage areas
  • Maintenance and repair facilities for firefighter air packs
  • Noise suppression and isolation for machinery and work areas
  • Energy efficient construction and appliances (HVAC, lighting, etc.)
  • Office space for full time employees
  • Sleeping space for overnight volunteers
  • Adequate parking and emergency vehicle maneuvering space
  • On-site outside training area
  • Emergency shelter for the public
  • Expansion capability to meet future needs
  • Compliance with all current State and County mandated
    building codes safety standards

Back Entrance of New Fire StationStation Features

  • Low profile 20 foot high building
  • 12,240 square feet of floor space
  • Energy efficient design
  • Safe working environment for firefighters
  • Multi-purpose facility for public meetings and emergency shelter
  • Meets Washington State safety regulations for ‘Essential Facilities.’

Interior Facilities

  • Six (6) vehicle bays sized for indoor maintenance
  • Firefighter decontamination facility
  • On-duty firefighter sleeping quarters (2)
  • High pressure breathing air filling station
  • Hose washing and drying area
  • Training/Meeting/Multi-function room
  • Food preparation area
  • New Station FloorplanAdministrative offices

Outside training ground

  • Roof /chimney prop area
  • Building overhaul prop area
  • Door and window prop area
  • Interior search and rescue obstacle course
  • Driver training vehicle maneuvering area
  • Hose deployment and water stream target area
  • Vehicle extrication prop area
  • Traffic scene protection area
  • Tender shuttle practice area
  • Ladder deployment area
  • Wildland fireline practice area

 

Large version

 

Ladder Skills Chimney Fire Hose Skills Extrication