In 2014, the first Firehouse Station Design Conference was a one-day program. There were seven presentations by eight speakers, 64 attendees and nine exhibitors. Over the past 10 years, the conference’s educational programs have grown to support the increasing responsibilities that are demanded of fire departments and their stations.
Not only has the Station Design Conference expanded in terms of registered attendees and exhibitors but also in regard to its scope, from solely fire stations to now including law enforcement, combined facilities and training centers.
The 10th anniversary of the Station Design Conference, May 20–23, 2024, at the Renaissance Hotel in Glendale, AZ, will provide 51 presentations by more than 60 speakers who are experienced in fire, law enforcement, and public safety stations and facilities. More than 90 exhibitors that specialize in services and products for public safety departments and agencies will share their knowledge and support to help attendees to create the best station, training center, or facility for the department and the community.
Pre-conference sessions
The popular 1-on-One pre-conference program, which convenes on Monday, May 20, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., again offers fire and law enforcement departments the opportunity to sit down, one-on-one, with an architect who specializes in public safety facilities for an objective, second opinion on a new facility or a renovation project. The program is restricted to fire and law enforcement departments, and preregistration and a fee are required.
This year, the event introduces a complimentary Monday afternoon pre-conference program that’s open to all early arrivals. Topics that will be covered include tort liability, designing to enhance recruitment and retention, and preserving history in stations. No preregistration is required.
Of particular note
Four conference tracks offer attendees a range of options from which to select to best fit their needs. Track One pertains to the ground-floor facets of a new facility or renovation project. Track Two provides programs for departments that are further along in their project. Track Three targets law enforcement facilities, and Track Four is a range of specific topics, including project skills, shared facilities and emergency operation centers.
The conference’s opening session begins on Tuesday, May 21, at 8 a.m. The general session begins with the presentation, “Where Do I Start? Planning a Successful Public Safety Facility,” by Ken Newell of Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects. This overview of the planning, design and construction of a project is sure to serve well as a springboard for other conference programs.
That same day, “A Public Safety Facilities Roadshow: Intrinsic Value, Challenges and Fascinating Facts” will be presented by Brian Harris of TCA Architecture + Planning and Brian Berryhill of Roth Sheppard Architects. From two award-winning firms, the duo will take the audience on a “road trip” that tours the country for public safety facility concepts, successes and challenges and how these precedents inform future trends and innovation for any project that’s anticipated. Completed stations, facilities that are under construction and an award winner will be featured.
New this year, “Fire Station Design: The NFPA View,” which will be presented by Robin Zevotek, who is the principal fire protection engineer for the NFPA, on Wednesday, May 22, dives into some of the NFPA codes and standards that affect fire station design and how decisions that are made during design and construction can have implications beyond the building code review process.
On Thursday, May 23, Craig Carter of BKV Group and a panel of other architects will present “Top Trends in Fire Station Design.” Biometrics, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and biophilic design are among the topics that departments must consider in the design of new fire stations.
Sure to satisfy
The 10th year of the Station Design Conference offers education for design projects that will support first responders for years to come. It surely will provide the resources to help departments and their teams to create the best facility that's possible. We are confident that attendees won’t be disappointed with what they will learn. See you in Glendale!
