Ground broken on new Radford Fire and Emergency Services Center

Posted December 10, 2009
By Jerry Rogers
Norfolk District Public Affairs

12/10/2009 - RADFORD, Va — Lt. Col. Andy Munera, commander of Radford Army Ammunition Plant, spearheaded the Dec. 9 ceremonial ground breaking of a new $5 million Fire and Emergency Services Center (FESC) in Radford, Va.

The FESC will replace the existing fire station, centralize key equipment and consolidate the security dispatch. Its new location will be well outside Radford's munitions production area.

"Today is an historic day in the life of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant...thanks to support from the U.S. Army and the Corps of Engineers. We will finally be able to replace our 1940's-era fire station," said Munera. "The new fire station will be a state-of-the-art facility and provide our first responder's a home they deserve. It will also guarantee the safety of the installation for years to come," Munera added.

Norfolk District, Army Corps of Engineers is managing the military construction project, which is scheduled to begin March 15, 2010. The project completion date is June 2011.

The Corps' contractor is IronBridge Construction, Inc., a certified small business administration service-disabled veteran-owned small business construction firm, based in Richmond, Va.

At 15,000 square feet, the FESC will consist of a modified-standard, two-company fire and security station, with drive-through structural apparatus bays, consolidated fire and intrusion detection alarm control center, arms room, emergency medical service room, and offices and administrative areas.

Other features include: training/shift assembly room, dormitory rooms, a full complement of male and female bathroom and shower facilities, kitchen with dining area, break room, mechanical rooms, fire alarm and suppression systems, uninterruptible power supply and intrusion detection system. The facility will also be handicap accessible.

Anti-terrorism and force protection measures were included in the design.

The project design and construction will also meet the Army's Leadership in Energy Environmental Design (LEED), achieving a silver certification.