Project

Fire Crash/Rescue Station

We were the prime architect/engineer for a new fire crash/rescue station for the Illinois National Guard. The 17,800-square-foot station provides emergency response capabilities for C-130 aircraft operations. We also provided enhanced commissioning and construction phase services.

The one-story fire station uses an exterior wall for all bunk rooms to provide natural lighting. The day room is combined with the training room and is positioned adjacent to the kitchen and dining space to maximize flexibility. Rooms can be open or compartmentalized based on the desired function. Personal protective equipment (PPE) storage is between the administrative area and the apparatus bay for quick access.

The design incorporates flexibility for reuse and reconfiguration, supporting the ability to grow with future mission requirements. A 30-foot structural grid, non-bearing masonry infill and uniform roof trusses let interior walls be repositioned or removed without touching the shell. Five drive-through bays — each sized for one aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) vehicle or two medium vehicles — have 16-foot doors, full-length utility drops and overhead partitions so the hall can be restriped for larger rigs, logistics staging or incident command. 

The facility achieved LEED Silver certification, with a high-performance envelope, radiant heating, demand-control ventilation, and low-flow fixtures reducing energy and water use. The agile, mission ready infrastructure design includes anti-terrorism and force protection (ATFP) compliance, robust materials and a full-building generator for 24/7 readiness.

Client

Illinois Air National Guard, 182nd Airlift Wing

Location

Peoria Air National Guard Base, Illinois

Region

Midwest

Services

Federal & Military

Department of Defense

National Guard

Industry

Government & Military

Our team led a one-week design charrette with users to analyze the relationship of building spaces and to build understanding of the flow of personnel and facility use. Using input and insights from the charette, we provided site plans, utility plans, floor plans, elevations, finishes and a cost estimate. We also completed site investigations, geotechnical reports and topographic surveys.

To address stormwater management constraints, we integrated low-impact development strategies including shallow infiltration swales tailored to site geometry, reducing runoff and improving water quality with large detention basins. Landscaping also complies with airfield regulations prohibiting bird-attracting vegetation. Native, drought-tolerant plant species eliminate the need for irrigation, reduce maintenance needs and enhance visual screening.

To meet Installation Facilities Standards (IFS) goals for comfort and safety, residential spaces are separated from industrial functions. Our integrated design approach addressed logical adjacencies and acoustical separation. Sound-absorptive finishes, such as carpet and acoustic tile ceilings, were specified for dormitory and administrative areas, while durable, easy-clean masonry and sealed concrete were used in bays and equipment rooms.

Space Functions & Details

Apparatus bay: Houses fire protection response vehicles with drive-through bays that include support utility drops for exhaust, compressed air, hot and cold water, lighting, and power. Each bay has 18-by-18-foot overhead doors, egress personnel doors, and access to adjacent support and administrative areas.

Equipment and maintenance: Adjacent to the apparatus bay and opposite administrative areas, with access through hollow metal personnel doors. Spaces include PPE gear storage, hose storage, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) maintenance and repair, SCBA compressor, equipment wash/disinfect, protective clothing laundry, hazardous material (HAZMAT) equipment storage, storage used by emergency medical technicians (EMTs), spare protective clothing storage, and fire extinguisher inspection and maintenance.

Residential and living areas: Adjacent to the administrative area and designed with sound attenuation and flexible configurations/furnishings to accommodate varied functions. Spaces include dorm rooms, day room, laundry room, fitness room, kitchen/break area, kitchen storage, and a dining area.

Training and administrative areas: Near the residential area and apparatus bay. Spaces include offices and training/testing areas.

Support area: Within the administrative area, housing the alarm control room and accommodating workstations and alarm panel control modules.