Three Reasons to Attend the Station Design Conference

If you are building a new fire station or contemplating it, there are three reasons you must attend the Firehouse 2021 Station Design Conference being held Aug. 23-26, in St. Louis, MO. The conference will offer current trends and experienced presenters to help you save time and money on your project.

This year the conference will offer not only basic programs on design and construction, but over 40 topics to help each phase of your facility. Presentations will target fire, law enforcement and shared facilities.

The past 16 months have forced fire, EMS and law enforcement departments to review facility layouts because of the pandemic and civil unrest. Departments are adapting facility plans to include additional decontamination and security upgrades. Budget restrictions have local municipalities combining fire and law enforcement in one shared facility.

1. Customize your own program - The 2021 Station Design Conference will have over 40 presentations, from initial planning to post-construction of building or renovating fire/rescue, EMS stations, law enforcement, and public safety facilities. In addition to the general sessions on the basics, there will be four break-out “tracks” for fire, law enforcement, and combined facilities. You are not tied to one track but can select the tracks that best fit your needs.
2. Sit down with a specialist – The 1-on-One pre-conference program offers a unique opportunity for you and your team to meet individually with an award-winning architect for an objective review of your project. Whether it’s the initial draft, your site selection or an in-construction project, your 1-on-One meeting will help save time, money and build the most effective station for your department and its future. The 1-on-One program is like going to another doctor for a second opinion, so it’s limited to department personnel only. There is no sales pitch from these professionals, just pure, honest input.
3. Catch up with technology – Whether this is your first or 20th station project, emergency response facilities are ever-evolving. Technology, health and safety are a major part of new emergency facilities. How do you build for the future and design a facility to last 50 years or more? The latest in technology, limiting cancer-causing carcinogens, as well as an increased need for security continue to impact your department personnel and your facility. Conference exhibitors will offer insight on trends and services for your project.

Station Design Conference presenters are selected from across the country based on their experience with emergency response facilities. Also, several fire and police chiefs will share lessons learned from their department’s station project. Whether you're just beginning your project or fully involved in construction, presentations will help you learn to build the right building for your department, personnel, and community.

One last reason to attend the conference, based on previous attendees’ feedback, is the networking opportunities. Our most recent attendees traveled from 42 different states (including Hawaii and Alaska), and ranged from metro departments to volunteer departments. The conference and exhibits are in the same facility, so sharing lessons learned with your peers is a great way to gather information. Conference exhibitors are experts in their areas and knowledgeable about many facets of emergency facilities. Take advantage of the opportunity to seek information and learn from sponsors and exhibitors.

Conference PowerPoint presentations are sent to participating department attendees. Which was helpful to one fire chief who said he was overwhelmed by the information and he had “pages and pages” of notes from the speakers.

We work hard to make the Station Design Conference a win-win for attendees and exhibitors. You won’t be disappointed. I promise you.