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SoDo District - Station 14 - Historic 
About the Station Station 14 is the only station without an engine company, but it houses one ladder unit and an aid unit. The station is also home to the department's Technical Rescue Team which helps mitigate dive/confined space/rope/trench/tunnel/heavy rescue incidents. The Technical Rescue Unit serves three main functions. First, it includes a heavy rescue unit that provides equipment such as the "jaws of life" and lifting slings that can move large objects, such as concrete from a collapsed structure. Second, it includes a high-angle rescue unit, which provides ropes to lower rescuers to a victim. The rope is about 1,800 feet long - long enough to reach from the top of the Space Needle down to the Bagley-Wright Theatre. Third, the confined space rescue unit provides hydraulic tools that can drill through at least a foot of concrete to reach enclosed victims. In 2005, this station received landmark designation. Click here to read the first part of the landmark nomination report, and click here to read the second part of the landmark nomination report. About the Project Given the range of specialized services offered at Station 14, the facility's good condition is critically important. Fortunately, the station sits on a relatively large site, sufficient to permit the station's expansion without harm to the existing facility's historic character. The plan will have a number of significant changes at Station 14. First, because of the station's siting in a potential liquefaction zone, it is possible that the building's foundation could become unstable in the event of a major earthquake. Therefore, as part of the seismic retrofit to this building, engineers will evaluate the desirability of upgrading the existing piling foundation. Second, because some of the specialized equipment at this station is currently exposed to the weather due to a lack of space in the apparatus bays the station's apparatus bays will be significantly reconfigured. Two existing bays will be remodeled to accommodate current apparatus and keep the rescue units out of the weather. In addition, the City will seek design efficiencies and cost savings sufficient to fund additional apparatus bay(s) to permit greater flexibility in stationing departmental vehicles and to house an additional aid unit should future demand warrant the service expansion. Such savings could also create capacity for various decentralized training activities. Third, Station 14 will assume the duties of lead station for Battalion V, covering much of south Seattle east of the Duwamish River. The remodel and construction, a second building on site will allow the station to house a battalion chief office, battalion chief unit, and reserve battalion chief unit. This second building will house the tunnel rescue unit as well. Fourth, remodeling the station's basement and main floor storage and living areas will accommodate equipment and general storage, and administrative and crew areas will be upgraded as well. The existing hose and training tower will remain intact. All structural modifications planned for Station 14 are anticipated to be made without significantly altering the historic character of this building. Emergency services are expected to remain on site while the station is being upgraded. Planned Station Features Technical Capacities
Administrative and Crew Areas
Schedule Anticipated Start Date: 2007 |
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