New station to welcome Islanders

Published 10:43 am Tuesday, July 14, 2015

The South-end of Mercer Island, after a few months’ delay, is now home to a new, fully operational and modern fire station.

The new Fire Station 92 will be open for the public to tour following a dedication ceremony this Saturday, July 18.

The building features many technological and operational upgrades from the old one, which was built in the 1960s to serve the Island’s volunteer fire department.

Over the years, new technology was retrofitted into the 7,500-square foot station. The generator was in the workout room. Firefighters slept in one shared space—which was also the living room and kitchen—and storage capacity was limited.

It was also found to be seismically unsound and potentially unable to deliver emergency services during catastrophic events, prompting a full building replacement.

So the “patchwork” station was demolished, and a new facility was designed and built to house a full-time professional operation, with a minimum of one lieutenant and two firefighters on duty at all times.

The rebuilt station is two stories; the first houses administrative offices, a meeting room, a welcoming public lobby and a large bay with a truck, midi pumper and aid unit. The second is the living quarters for the firefighters, with four bunk rooms, a kitchen, bathrooms and a laundry room.

In the Nov. 6, 2012 General Election, Islanders voted to replace of Fire Station 92 and a new Fire Rescue Truck with a levy lid lift of $662,000 each year for nine years.

Now, everything is up-to-code and up-to-date, with some state-of-the art enhancements. The stoves in the kitchen automatically turn off when firefighters are called out. Exhaust is vented to the exterior of the building with collection systems. A public lobby and private first aid room are available to assist citizens with blood pressures and emergency care. Bi-fold bay doors provide for better draft-sealing than the old overhead doors. And there are appropriate fire sprinklers and fire alarm systems throughout the building.

A few potential issues remain: delay damages from the contractor, as the project was scheduled to be completed in November 2014, and an infrared inspection of the roof, which may have a leak. Still, city officials are confident in the completion of the project and the “firefighters are appreciative,” said Deputy Fire Chief Les Kenworthy.

“If I were a firefighter, I think this would be a pretty cool place to work,” he said.

Ceremony details:

The formal dedication ceremony for the rebuilt southern Fire Station 92 (8437 S.E. 68th Street) occurs Saturday, July 18, at 10 a.m. Station staff will host an open house from approximately 11 a.m. until noon.

Mayor Bruce Bassett and Fire Department Chief Steve Heitman will address the crowd at the ceremony, followed by comments from the International Association of Firefighters – Local 1762.

The Mercer Island Arts Council will be there to help present a public art sculpture, based on artifacts from the World Trade Center in New York City. Gov. Jay Inslee has also been invited to the ceremony.

For safety during the ceremony, S.E. 68th Street will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and detours will be posted.

Due to limited parking, attendees are strongly encouraged to take advantage of a free shuttle bus from nearby Island Park Elementary that will gather riders from the school’s bus zone, and deposit them near the Fire Station. Parking for shuttle users is available at the school and Island Crest Park.