Chillicothe Fire Headquarters Renovation

The Fire Department in this north-central Missouri town serves a population of nearly 9,000. Over time the headquarters building/fire and EMS station had become an extremely tight fit for personnel and apparatus. In 2010 the City commissioned WSKF Architects to lead a team to renovate 11,850 square feet in the existing building and expand it by 8,160 square feet. The goal was to provide additional space for apparatus, a larger parking lot and apron, more meeting space, bunkrooms and storage. Private gender-neutral bunkrooms replaced the dorm-style sleeping quarters. The project also improved ADA accessibility, the fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems and ventilation of the apparatus bay. The project was accomplished while the building remained in operation. A public safety training campus was developed at a separate location.