Fire Station 63 Deficiencies & Constraints
In 1981, during the remodel of the Value Giant department store into the MSB the South San Francisco Fire Department Station 63 was relocated to the basement of 33 Arroyo as a cost saving measure over expanding and remodeling the former station. In 2010, the City was awarded a federal grant to remodel the station and structurally stabilize the western half of the building where the firefighters respond from. This work attached the building’s roof and first floor to the concrete tilt-up walls on the western half of the MSB. The apparatus bay opening height was raised and the ceiling was reinforced. This needed to be done to allow for growing fire engine sizes and to support the additional weight of the former police evidence room located above the apparatus bay. The station interior was remodeled, transitioning from the older communal dorm style sleeping quarters, shared showers, lockers, and restroom to individual rooms and restrooms. This provided more personal spaces better accommodating female personnel when working at Station 63. The remodel also tried to address chronic water, mold, and vehicle exhaust intrusion into the station.
Fire Station 63 is the busiest station in the City. It houses five firefighters staffing one engine, one ambulance, and is just over 4,500 square feet including the apparatus bay. The fire station apparatus bay does not have space to store any reserve apparatus and is not large enough to accommodate any of the Fire Department’s larger vehicles, creating citywide operational constraints on how equipment can be deployed. The current logistical support areas for the station are undersized and this station must rely on neighboring stations to refill Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, store reserve tools, store reserve Personal Protective Equipment, and store emergency rations/water. Five of the six bedrooms are located internally and have only one exit and no windows. There is minimal separation between the apparatus and the living quarters with no space for a decontamination corridor. Additionally, there is no designated shop to work on tools or store reserve equipment, nor is there a drill yard to train within or secure yard for personal vehicles. The station itself has no space for a water heater, HVAC, or emergency generator, and is dependent on the aging infrastructure of the MSB for all its utilities. During severe rain, water intrudes into the station because it is below grade with only a sloping driveway as an entrance or exit.
A new station would be sufficient in size to have designated decontamination areas to clean soiled equipment and keep separation of contaminants from living areas. A new station would have bedrooms, each having two exits, with a window and door for better safety and quality of life.
There would be additional restrooms and personal equipment storage spaces to assist with crew exchanges between shifts or accommodate extra personnel during high call volume events. The station would have its own designated exercise area and drill yard for training and physical preparedness. The new station drill yard will be secured with a reserve fuel source. The emergency back-up generator and all utilities for the station will be designated and maintained for the station.
Most importantly, the full station will be built to essential services standards, helping ensure its reliability in the case of a large earthquake or other emergency event.