The reconstruction of Santa Rosa Fire Station No. 5 represents another step in the continued recovery from the 2017 Tubbs fire that devastated the City of Santa Rosa and greater Sonoma County. While only a small part of the region’s fire rebuild effort, the reopening of Fire Station No. 5 provides a new home for the firefighters who focused on protecting others during the chaotic events of that October night.
The station is approximately 9,000 square feet and consists of three drive-through bays, living accommodations for six personnel, a kitchen, a day room, and workout facilities. It was designed with fire-resistant materials in response to the changing environmental demands. The main structural system consists primarily of wood framing with strategically located structural steel elements on shallow foundations. The narrow wall piers around the apparatus doors required specialty detailing with concealed steel transfer braces to eliminate the need for heavy structural steel frames. Other structural challenges included deflection control of cantilevered roof elements and design of the extensive retaining wall system on the steep constrained site.
ZFA is proud to have played a role on the design-build team that helped Station 5 rise stronger from the ashes and stand ready to protect the community for generations to come.