What’s wrong with your fire station? Are the station problems related to an aging building or department growth issues? Is it maintenance issues or design issues? Can the station be renovated, or is it time to build a new one?
Opening a discussion about the problems with a fire department station or stations unknowingly starts a list of costs for solutions or options.
Without a doubt, problems in a fire station that could impact health are a priority. Until recently, health issues in fire stations were primarily related to mold. However, within the past decade, research on the increasing rates of firefighter cancer has led to radical changes in fire station designs. Restricting exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens and other toxins in a fire station with zones is not only a feature of new station designs, but also available in fire station renovations.
According to a recent Firehouse Newsday article by Susan Nicol, none of the 27 Cleveland fire stations are in “good condition.”
Cleveland city inspectors found various levels of conditions among the fire stations. In one, urinals leaked into a closet and hallway. Complaints of bad odors, mold and water leaks were verified by the inspectors. According to a spokesperson, it is estimated a cost of $10 million to bring stations to a “basic level of livability.”
What happens after you make a list of issues in your station? The topic of money probably comes first. Where are the funds to correct the issues or build a new one? The current political landscape has made funding and grants more difficult and unpredictable.
The Firehouse Station Design Conference was created 14 years ago to specifically help fire chiefs, building committees and project managers through the process of designing new or renovating fire stations. Whether sketches on paper or rolls of blueprints, the Station Design Conference continues to offer experienced peers and professionals specialized in fire, law enforcement, and public safety facilities to help with your project.
Presentation topics for the 2026 Station Design Conference, taking place from May 18 to 21 in Reno, NV, include exterior facility zones for drone dispatching, updates to net-zero energy in fire stations, and, given the increasing construction costs, how to build a fire station that will last 50-75 years, which was a standing-room-only program in 2025!
Every year, around 85 percent of Station Design Conference attendees are first-time attendees. Consequently, Track 1 is designed to help those new to the process of creating a fire or law enforcement facility.
Among the Track 1 topics, site selection, navigating blueprints, and understanding delivery methods are traditionally popular topics for new attendees. The three primary project delivery methods for projects are Design-Bid-Build, Construction Manager-General Contractor and Design-Build—a non-traditional delivery method and which delivery method is best for your next project.
Track 2 of the conference is designed for projects that are in process and includes a broad range of next steps. With a focus on firefighter health and preventive measures, the pros and cons of various methods for cleaning turnout gear, as well as the options of in-station cleaning versus local or regional cleaning services, are considered.
The conference’s Track 3 focuses on the operational designs of law enforcement facilities and the ever-evolving advances in technology and security.
Track 4 offers specialized presentations on combined public safety facilities, updates on AI in public safety, training facilities and emergency operation centers. A new track is being developed for volunteer and combination departments.
One last point. The annual Station Design Conferences bring together the largest number of exhibitors in North America, focused on the design and construction of fire, law enforcement, and public safety facilities. These exhibitors offer experienced individuals able to provide service and product data to help you make informed recommendations and decisions for your department’s next facility.
If you are considering or planning a new fire station or facility, the 2026 Station Design Conference will provide you with access to the knowledge and expertise of professionals for a successful project.
