The Dale City (Va.) Volunteer Fire Department constructed a new facility that is a model of efficiency, effectiveness and community appearance. The 30,600-square-foot, LEED Gold–rated Edgar B. Van Horn Fire Station No. 10 is designed to operate on 20% less energy than comparable facilities.

“One of the most challenging aspects of this project was interfacing the LEED Gold requirements with emergency service requirements,” said architect Wayne Hughes of Hughes Group Architects.

To that end, the station’s design includes four-fold front doors that reduce response time in half and a response slide and twin poles enhance access to turnout gear and apparatus.

The hose tower is designed for training use, while the smart classroom is equipped with an electronic board and projection equipment. Another unique element is a community-education and exhibit space that includes a graphic history of the department and its first piece of apparatus restored and preserved in the new building.