Fire Department

A Generation of Growth

    Meeting the challenges   

The total number of calls for emergency fire and medical services have grown an average of almost 3% per year for the past 20 years. There has been an increase in the number and size of commercial properties that employ many Middletown residents and require fire protection. In 2006, newly acquired Navy residential property response areas were added to our fire and emergency medical service responsibilities on the west side of town.

Since the 1990’s The Town of Middletown’s master plan for public safety services included upgrading or replacing the current fire station. Current standards from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) help to provide expert guidance to communities that strive to provide effective public safety services. Organization’s like the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ERSI) use modern technology to assist districts making fire station location decisions and help to create effective response protocols. Prior studies that have examined Middletown’s need for fire protection and emergency medical services have recognized that the current facility is inadequate.  This fire station construction project will provide this community and its firefighters a safer, more efficient and effective resource for many years to come. Placement of the Fire Station and the potential options for a new or supplemental fire station site are currently being studied by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB). VHB will develop and analyze new coverage areas for average and peak traffic conditions.  The distribution of calls and the location of high life hazard areas will be factors also taken into consideration. This report will help the Town determine potential sites that could be chosen and to identify their preferred option. Our goal is to design a new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified Fire Station that includes sustainable design features, such as highly efficient mechanical units, recycled content materials, and energy efficient roofing systems. The end result will be an operationally effective fire station that complements the local aesthetic and follows the comprehensive plan that is ensuring Middletown is moving in the right direction and following best practices in community development.