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Image courtesy of the Town of Westwood. Pictured is a diagram showing space use that is contemplated by the design for Westwood's proposed, new Fire Station 1.
Thanks to Westwood Deputy Town Administrator Molly Fitzpatrick for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.
The Town of Westwood continues to move forward with plans for a new Fire Station 1 (FS1), with a recent community meeting at the Main Library where representatives from the fire department, including Fire Chief Steve Lund, Assistant Chief Colin McCarthy, and Local 1994 President, Lieutenant Anthony Burke, shared insights into the proposed station’s design and layout.
The proposed facility will feature five apparatus bays, strategically designed to optimize the deployment of emergency vehicles and personnel. Additionally, a dedicated maintenance bay will ensure timely servicing of department vehicles—an operational feature carried over from the current station. As Assistant Chief McCarthy stated, “The main design of the station is really driven by the five apparatus bays.” The front-line pieces of equipment include the Deputy Chief vehicle, Engine 5, Ladder 1, Ambulance 1, and the Squad Truck.
The new station aims to replace Westwood’s aging FS1, which has served the community for 75 years, but no longer meets modern public safety standards. The Town of Westwood notes that the existing 14,000-square-foot facility is undersized and suffers from structural issues, including foundation cracks and failing floors. According to the town, the current FS1 does not comply with current safety, accessibility, or operational standards, posing challenges for the growing department and its male and female firefighters.
Image courtesy of Town of Westwood. Pictured is a graphic showing space use on Level 2 of Westwood's proposed, new Fire Station 1.A key takeaway is firefighter safety. Firefighter James Houhoulis, who was in attendance, spoke about inadequate decontamination space, stating, “The only thing separating our (current) living quarters from the toxic fumes is a single door.” The proposed station will have distinct and contained areas for decontamination with living quarters on the second floor.
The new fire station will be built on the same site at 637 High Street and will incorporate essential modern features, including apparatus bays for fire trucks and emergency vehicles, training spaces to enhance firefighter preparedness, decontamination facilities to improve safety, and dormitory areas to accommodate both male and female personnel.
According to project planners, the proposed facility is designed to serve Westwood’s emergency response needs for at least the next 50 years.
Final approvals for funding and construction will require a Town Meeting vote on May 19, 2025, followed by a ballot vote on June 3, 2025.
For more details about the proposed FS1 project, visit the Town of Westwood's website at: https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/our town/town-improvement-projects/fire-station-1-project.
