Fire Department Back In Renovated Firehouse

Published May 30, 2008
By Senior Airman Logan Tuttle
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- After a 14 month renovation, Spangdahlem firefighters can enjoy increased quality of life and safety standards which were both improved in the fire station. The $ 1 million dollar project was complicated by the fact they needed to maintain 24/7 operations at another facility and support the mission with minimal cost.

The firefighters found their temporary home in both building 177 for makeshift living quarters and building 3056, used to sustain their operations. But moving 104 firefighters temporarily has not been easy, especially with the constant work schedule where they still had to respond to calls and training. According to Senior Master Sgt Joseph Walsh, the Fire Department's Superintendent, "It's like being TDY half the year."

All the hard work has not been in vain though, and now the firefighters can their new kitchen, improved vehicle stalls and updated bunk rooms. The vehicle stalls have been expanded, allowing for more gear and larger vehicles, greatly impacting their safety.

According to Sergeant Walsh, the bunk rooms have had one of the greatest impacts of the quality of life within the fire department. In the past, the rooms were multiple-use facilities with several people per room. Because of this, everyone within the room would have to wake up every time there was a call, including the crews that didn't have to respond. Now, however they can enjoy the privacy that comes with having their own rooms to sleep in.
The bunk rooms of previous bases of Sergeant Walsh included a converted stable, rooms right behind the truck stalls which forced the inhabitants to deal with diesel fumes when vehicles where used, and rooms with no windows. "The quality of life for this station is the best I've ever been at," he said.

The fire department's renovations could not have been possible without the efforts of several people, from the firefighters themselves, to the engineers who stepped in to help according to Sergeant Walsh. He also said that their commander's leadership and support was invaluable.