Kevin Eipperle is the managing principal in Durrant's Dubuque, Iowa, office, where he's worked since 1986. He is a registered architect with responsibilities as designer and project director for a variety of structures, including K — 12 schools, universities, libraries, office and commercial buildings, and fire station and training facilities. Durrant provides professional architecture, engineering, construction management, planning and interior design services from 15 locations throughout the United States.

FC: What's the first step a fire chief should take before contacting an architect?

Eipperle: Go through a self-assessment process of the department, assemble a broad base of stakeholders and identify current challenges. This information should be compared with the mission statement, and goals should be identified. With these goals and challenges in mind, ideas for good solutions can be identified and analyzed. Before an architect is contacted, the fire chief or department should research the firm to verify capabilities and experience. Beyond that, selecting an architect is based on finding someone you feel comfortable with and trust.

FC: What is the most challenging part of designing a new fire station for a volunteer department?

Eipperle: There are many challenges Durrant experiences with designing a volunteer fire department station. Above all, the department staff must be committed to the process and get involved. Their input during design is key to the success of the final product. Volunteer stations are typically located in smaller communities, and in most cases the volunteer station is the only ambulance service. The stations become community centers and must be designed to be flexible to meet the community's needs.

FC: What sort of long-range planning should a chief take into consideration when building a new station?

Eipperle: A long-range plan is important, especially in changing communities. Demographics need to be considered, as well as issues like planned zoning, annexation, insurance requirements for existing industry and future development. Obstacles must also be considered, such as rivers, highways and, in the case of the Bryon Fire Headquarters, railroad lines. Utilities and infrastructure are important, as in any development.

FC: What changes do you see in fire stations for the future?

Eipperle: Durrant has identified two key areas of change for fire departments: communication methods and training technology. For example, the Byron Fire Headquarters has an integral training facility utilizing fire and smoke simulators. This cannot totally replace actual building burn training, but it provides a controllable, flexible environment in a realistic, yet safe, situation. This approach is clean and environmentally conscious. It can be initialized over and over in a short period of time for multipurpose training. Independent communication technologies are becoming more integrated with each other.

FC: What room is the one room in a fire station that deserves the most attention?

Eipperle: The room that receives the most attention in many fire stations may not be the one that deserves it. Especially in a volunteer station, the most important “room” is the path of travel from the parking spaces for volunteers on a call to the equipment room to the apparatus bay. That critical flow is key to a successful response time.

FC: Environmentally, what will future fire stations contain?

Eipperle: Sustainable and environmentally conscious designs are very important aspects of all phases: design, construction and operation. Future stations, like many buildings, will be more energy efficient, use recycled material, and will have backup power sources or be “off grid” entirely. Fire stations will have levels of security and a compartmentalized plan layout. Training facilities will use simulators and generate clean smoke.

FC: Ergonomically, what must be taken into consideration for designing fire stations?

Eipperle: Ergonomics is an aspect of basic function and is considered in all projects in which Durrant is involved.

FC: What's the most interesting part of designing a fire station from an architect's view?

Eipperle: … I think architects in general enjoy designing fire stations because of the excitement associated with the buildings and their importance. The fire department staff are great people to work with. Their work, especially for volunteers, is for a greater cause; they are women and men of great pride and commitment to public safety.