The Oceanside (Calif.) Fire Department first opened its Station 7 as a temporary structure 13 years ago. But with a population increase of 40,000 and the doubled call volume —now 15,000 calls annually — that population increase brought, Div. Chief Darryl Hebert welcomed the permanent Station 7, completed in July.

The 18,360-square-foot station — which received the bronze career honor in the 2008 Station Style Design Awards and is featured in September in the 2009 Station Style calendar — is fully sprinklered and houses a truck company, engine company, medic and battalion chief. Adjacent to two major roadway arteries, Station 7 helps the department expand the service area and reduce response time.

“The exterior of the building serves as the gateway from the [Route] 76 freeway,” Hebert said.

The station’s exterior design, with smooth stucco, detailed cornices and classic arches, was designed to fit into surrounding the San Luis Rey Mission area.

The design firm on the Oceanside project was San Diego–based Jeff Katz Architecture, which has concentrated on fire service facilities since 1992. Based on his experience, principal architect Jeff Katz located apparatus bays and equipment room for quick access to the apparatus from anywhere in the station.

“In functionality, this new station really gave the city changes that the department had been sorely lacking,” Katz said. “In particular, there’s a lot more space, a lot of wide areas to run training exercises.”

Another place of pride in the new station is the kitchen.

“I can say that the architect was fantastic and certainly knew what the firefighters desired and the needs that we have for a family type atmosphere,” Hebert said. “The kitchen really was focal point because they spend so much time cooking and talking. The layout of the appliances is great and there is plenty of pantry and locker space for private food supplies.”

Oceanside Fire Department frequently offers station dinners auctioned off for charity.

“The guests can feel part of the family when they join us for the meal,” Hebert said.

While Hebert loves the new station, there are a few things he would do differently next time.

“We have hallways that are dark and it would have been nice to have some sky lights with natural light,” Hebert said. In addition, with the chosen HVAC system, the station’s windows don’t open. “We can’t open the windows and the firefighters would like to have some natural breeze coming in.”

Another challenge during construction was the poor soil conditions of the site location. Subsequently, native California plants are not thriving in the landscaped area along the apron of the station.

“Citizens are complaining that firefighters should be pulling the weeds; however, the plants are not flowering,” Hebert said. “A sign has been posted that it really is natural plant habitat.”

Hebert suspects the plants will be replaced to end complaints.