Tipton Volunteer Fire Department     407 Lynn St. Tipton, IA     52772
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New Fire Station
The Tipton Fire Department is currently planning to construct a new fire station on 300 block of Lynn between 3rd and 4th streets. There are many reasons why the department needs to replace the current station which was built in 1972.
Storage
Lack of storage has become a major problem with the current station. Our main storage area (constructed by firefighters in the early 90’s) is full with spare gear, extra equipment, seasonal equipment, and tables for meetings. We have been forced to store our equipment for fireworks above the storage area. These tubes can weigh up to 50 lbs. each which creates a hazardous situation when they are to be used.
Our continuously growing need for additional equipment and lack of space forces us to ‘push stuff off to the side.’ This creates a hazardous situation for firefighters while they respond into the station for calls. We simply have no place to put stuff anymore.
The department has resorted to storing stuff on top of the storage unit itself
Bathrooms
Another growing problem is the bathroom. The current station has one bathroom for all members to use. In recent years, TFD has had up to a dozen female firefighters and cadets serve the community. Currently, we have one female firefighter on the roster which causes a problem when it comes to bathroom accommodations.
Besides the dire need for unisex bathrooms, the facility we have now is too small anyway. It consists of one urinal, toilet and sink; all of which needing maintenance in the past year. It is also being used as a makeshift storage area for apparatus maintenance equipment and extinguishers.
The bathroom has turned into a storage area
Decon
For today’s fire service, decontamination has risen to be one of the most important safety concerns. While we don’t have to worry about terrorist attacks of nuclear or biological hazards, we do deal with hazardous chemicals on many of our calls. Some of these hazards include: Automotive fluids (gas, diesel, ethanol, oil, etc), Anhydrous Ammonia and other chemicals used in farming, bodily fluids including bloodborn pathogens, chemicals used in local production (Xerxes, wastewater treatment, etc.), and simple by-products of combustion.
We currently have no way to decontaminate ourselves from these hazards once the emergency has ended, and we return to our homes or jobs. It is a growing concern and a rising safety factor that was not realized in the past. For the safety of our volunteers and community, it is imperative that we prevent contamination to others and the health of our first responders.
Codes
Our building (constructed in 1972) is far from current building code. Although it is one story, it is not handicap accessible. Ironically enough, the current station has NO sprinkler system and NO fire alarms. The current meeting room is also used by the City of Tipton for meetings, training, different organizations and get-togethers. It is important that we work out of a safe building and although it may be filled with firefighters at certain times, it has the potential for a disastrous situation.
Offices
Currently, there is one small office for seven elected officers. The office is used by the fire chief for completing and submitting fire reports, inventory of important documents, storage of training records and personal files, and storage of training documents and fire code manuals.
The growing importance for conducting and recording state-required training leaves no place for the training officer to log important information and conduct training programs.
Likewise, the president and secretary/treasurer have no place to keep track important information like minutes of the meetings, applications and most importantly, the budget. A makeshift desk has been set up in the corner of the meeting room for this reason.
Makeshift desks are used by officers without an office
Utilities
An old building means old and inefficient utilities. The heating system was installed when the station was built and is extremely inefficient. All the doors and windows have been in place since the original construction and although new overhead doors were installed in 2001, the building as a whole is terribly inefficient.
The current station is very inefficient including to 35 year old furnaces
Size
One of the main reasons for a new station is merely the size of the current one. The size of apparatus has grown dramatically in the past 35 years and there are little signs that future apparatus will become smaller. Volunteer departments are at a disadvantage because we are required to ‘pack a bigger punch’ with less. Because of this, we need to have trucks that can carry a lot of tools, manpower, and water. Aside from this, trucks today are simple larger all-around then trucks 35 years ago. Little clearance on the top and sides of our current trucks is an invitation for dents, dings, and major damage to our equipment. Other than the fact that damage to our trucks can cause problems at a fire, we keep our trucks in service for many many years and continuous damage requires multiple repairs.
Also, the depth of the station has been out-grown as well. Since we keep our gear along the walls (because we have no other place to put it), certain unfortunate firefighters must get dressed in a space the size of a narrow hallway (about 3’). This also causes problems for firefighters running into the station that must pass each other in this tight space. It can prove to be a humourous, yet very hazardous situation.
Gear Storage
Arguably the most important equipment to the firefighters is their gear. It is the barrier between the firefighter and the hazard, whether it be 600 degree heat or an accident victim’s blood. With 35 firefighters and a handful of cadets all needing a place to put their gear, we have simply ran out of space to put it all.
Also, we must take special care of our gear to ensure that it will perform to its capabilities when we need it the most. It must be stored out of direct sunlight and have adequate ventilation.
Firefighters are forced to hang their gear on pegs instead of racks
Future Expansion
Currently, not all of the department’s equipment is stored at the fire station. Because of the small size, the department’s boat is stored at the ambulance building. In the event of a water rescue or recovery, we must first drive to the ambulance building, get in, connect the boat, and then respond to the emergency. Also, our newly refurbished brush truck is being stored in the City of Tipton shop on South Street. Time wasted to get to this equipment before we can even respond to the emergency is a major problem and a new station can ensure a quick and timely response to the community.
There is no room left to put new or refurbashed equipment