Medford Releases Concept Plans for New Fire Headquarters

Iterations of Plans were developed with input from stakeholders including Fire Fighters Union, Fire Department and City Departments 

As the progress of the new Fire Headquarters moves into the design phase, the City has released the concept plans from Architecture firm, The Galante Architecture Studio, Inc. (TGAS), marking the different iterations of how the facility has evolved. 

The City worked with the Fire Department, Medford Fire Fighters Union Local 1032, Department of Public Works, Engineering Department and the Office of Planning, Development and Sustainability to adjust the concept plans over the course of several months based on the input of stakeholders to deliver plans that will inform the design phase of the new headquarters.  

“The current fire headquarters is an antiquated space that lacks many of the necessary equipment and features of a modern facility,” Interim Fire Chief Todd Evans said. “The planning team and the Mayor recognized the issues with our current space and worked with the department as well as the union to create a concept plan that fits the land space and fulfills the Department’s asks as best as possible and delivers a truly transformative vision for the future of the Medford Fire Department. These plans went through multiple iterations based off the suggestions from fire personnel and other stakeholders. Thank you to the Mayor, staff at City Hall, The Galante Architecture Studio, the Owner’s Project Manager and the team at the Fire Department for working together on this generational project.” 

“The building size has developed in relation to Fire Department requests, as well as many departmental requests,” said Ted Galante, founding principal of The Galante Architecture Studio. “Despite the size of the lot, the building was increased in size, bathrooms were added, and storage in the building was accommodated based on feedback from the department and fire fighters. We understand there is some concern about the training tower that was proposed in the building but was requested for it to be removed. To be clear, we have designed and built training towers like this in a number of fire stations that are constantly used for training. Given how complex these buildings are today, every department across the country struggles with cost. An integrated training tower and training system is one way to help manage those costs yet allow departments to safely train their people for the good of the wider public.” 

You can view the concept plans below or at medfordma.org/fire. Note that each plan iteration was revised to accommodate recommendations and suggestions from Fire Department personnel. 

• Concept Plan: 4/16/24, per Fire Union’s request, this iteration removed the training tower and displayed separated sleeping quarters 

• Concept Plan: 5/02/24 

  • Added additional restrooms/showers 

  • Separate public area 

  • Added additional storage 

  • expanded second floor 

  • turnout gear locker floorplan rotated 90 degrees to add additional accessible restrooms on above floor 

  • Kitchen floorplan altered 

• Concept Plan: 6/17/24 

  • Building interior footprint mirrored from previous version to accommodate future Mass DOT project 

• Concept Plan: 7/03/24 

  • heavy duty asphalt added near flagpole 

  • have Fire Chief vehicle bay face Union Street 

• Concept Plan: 8/22/24 

  • reconfigured building footprint to create substantial concrete apron 

• Concept Plan: 9/20/24 

  • minor refinement of August plan 

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