The District of Columbia is one of our nation's most important cities. From the seat of our federal government to the home of the President of the United States to a town of international trade and tourism, DC has it all. Because of the importance of our city and the longevity of our fire department, Mayor Adrian Fenty has directed the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department to renew and refresh our facilities, but with a very important twist. As firehouses receive the trademark Fenty "Buff and Scrub" process, many additions will be added to the collection of 34 firehouses (33 engine companies and a fireboat station) to make our quarters "green." This article will take a look at the process and the impact of retrofitting our firehouses to be more environmentally friendly. The program is called "Buff, Scrub and Greening" of DC firehouses.
It is interesting to note that 17 of our 34 firehouses are now listed on the National Register of Historical Places (pre-World War II buildings). The age of our facilities coupled with the level of activity, at about 175,000 requests for assistance each year, and ever-dwindling resources, it was not difficult to figure out how most of our stations fell into disrepair.
This initiative will systematically go into each fire station except the four locations soon to undergo total renovations (Engine 10, built in 1925; Engine 27, built in 1908; Engine 28, built in 1916; and Engine 29, built in 1925) and make much-needed repairs. The work effort will provide for painting, cabinet replacement, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system overhauls and appliance updates, to name some of the specifics components of this program. Each company commander (fire captains) has been asked to submit a list of repairs requested by the rank-and-file members assigned to that company.
Companies are being encouraged to help out with trade skills when and where they can. For example, if a company requests building supplies or materials such as kitchen cabinets that the company can install, it will get top priority for funding. The "self-help" aspect of the "Buff and Scrub" will allow our limited financial resources to stretch a little bit further to complete more remodeling projects.
Several community groups have expressed great interest in helping to complete their fire station "makeovers." The upper northwest community groups have been planning a "day of fun and fundraiser." The community groups will be focused on repairs, furnishings such as beddings, chairs, tables, televisions, dishes and cookware. A community barbeque is in the planning process at the Chevy Chase fire station. Sparky, our community fire truck, the inflatable tower ladder (kiddie slide) and our arson dog "Roo" will be present that day.
The Process
The notion of "greening" our firehouses is beginning to take a life of its own. I am sure that you have heard of the old axiom, "Success has a thousand fathers and failure is an orphan." The "greening" program has proved to be a success by this measurement. Fire stations will be outfitted with "cool" light bulbs controlled by automatic motion-detecting switches. The new lightning strategy will utilize much-lower-wattage (cooler) bulbs that will produce more light, give off less heat and most importantly use less energy. As the HVAC systems are being checked out and cleaned, new high-efficiency, reusable air filters will be added. The maintenance and Green Team (Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Deaton and Captain Christopher Jordan) will provide training for follow-up station-level care and cleaning. Low water flow shower heads, toilet tanks and faucets will be installed to conserve water. Garden hose bibs will be outfitted with automatic shutoff nozzles to conserve water when apparatus, equipment or a fire station is being cleaned.
Electric "eyes" will be installed on sinks and toilets to prevent water waste as much as possible. This project will start with our three newly renovated fire stations (Engine 9, U Street; Engine 17, Brookland; and Engine 20, Tentley Circle). As time and money allow, all fire stations will be converted with these great conservation items added to our collection of fire stations.
As windows are replaced, they are being converted to insulated energy-efficient, gas-filled ones. The replacement windows will add a significant weather insulation factor year round, saving on both heating and cooling costs. Next, all fire stations will be encouraged to be more aggressive with recycling solid waste. Some of DC firehouses have more than 100 employees assigned. The amount of recycled materials should equal a significant reduction to the solid waste that must be carried away to sanitary landfills. The key to the success of our fire station recycling program will rely on some type of reward system. The "Green Team" has been tasked with developing a plan to establish a reward process for fire station crews that take recycling and other "greening" responsibilities seriously; perhaps a reward system based on the company that recycles the most materials per capita and another category of "winners" that conserve the most energy per capita overall.
The last element of the program will be an "engine idle limiting" policy. Historically, fire trucks and ambulances are left to uselessly idle their engines without regard to conserving fuel or saving wear and tear on equipment and polluting the air that we breathe. The idle policy will challenge any and all equipment operators to think about the need to leave the engines running. This program will have a major impact on conserving resources and keeping to protecting our precious environment.
Summary
There you have it -- a comprehensive "greening" program that is being implemented in a place that you would least expect it, a neighborhood fire station. Think about the impact, great for the community, the environment and the city government. However, we (America's firehouses) are the caretakers of our community life; every aspect of the process needs to be considered, not just at emergency calls for help.
Our most precious resource, our children, visit firehouses whenever they can. So, not only will the kids grow up dreaming about being "Hometown Heroes" and how to prevent fires, but will leave a fire station visit in our city seeing how we can live a sustainable lifestyle. Seeing is believing and a role model's actions will always speak louder than words.
DENNIS L. RUBIN, a Firehouse® contributing editor, is chief of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. Previously, Rubin was chief of the Atlanta, GA, Fire and Rescue Department. He holds a bachelor of science degree in fire administration from the University of Maryland and an associate in applied science degree in fire science management from Northern Virginia Community College, and is enrolled in the Fire and Emergency Management Administration program at the graduate school of Oklahoma State University. Rubin is a graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officers Program, is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) and has obtained the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He is an adjunct faculty member of the National Fire Academy since 1983. Rubin is the author of the book Rube's Rules for Survival.
