Program Overview

The Facilities program’s purpose is to oversee all operational elements of Menlo Park Fire Protection District (District) facilities. The program ensures the District meets all compliance and safety standards of all facilities.  In addition, the facilities program manages all maintenance and repair of facilities to provide a safe and comfortable work environment in an efficient cost-effective manner.  

Management Oversight

The Facilities program is directed by the Division Chief of Operations with oversight authority delegated to the on-shift Battalion Chief and program coordinator. This program does not have any full-time equivalent employees. This program contains expenses pertaining to general supplies and equipment purchases, maintenance and repair services, and overtime for training and program administration.

Goals and Objectives

• Oversee all maintenance, repairs, and daily operations of the District's buildings and equipment, ensuring they remain in optimal condition through routine inspections, preventive care, and timely repairs.
• Ensure all facilities comply with local, state, and federal safety codes and regulations, conducting regular audits and addressing any compliance issues to maintain a safe environment.
• Implement sustainability initiatives such as energy-efficient upgrades and waste reduction to reduce costs and environmental impact.
• Create and maintain comprehensive facility maintenance plans to address immediate needs and long-term projects, ensuring efficient budgeting and execution to meet the District’s evolving infrastructure needs.

FY 2023-24 Accomplishments

• Proactively identified and addressed both large and small facility needs, ensuring all station requirements were met efficiently.
• Sourced new vendors while retaining reliable ones, ensuring cost-effective support for station operations and maintaining fiscal responsibility.
• Monitored and documented emergency and mandatory projects that arose outside of budget planning, ensuring funds are earmarked for these unexpected needs in future budgets.
• Regularly updated and maintained an updated list of trusted facilities contractors to streamline project execution and support ongoing maintenance.
• Introduced Buildium, a property management software, to better track and schedule maintenance, projects, and facility-related tasks.
• Continued working with our contractor to ensure smooth project research, scheduling, and timely completion, enhancing overall operational efficiency.

FY 2024-25 Program Initiatives

• Purchase new 5G radio transmitters for Station 6 and 170 Admin, and secure estimates for a new generator solution at Station 77, in collaboration with the Construction/Improvement team.
• Complete upgrades to Station 77’s kitchen with capital expenditure estimates, and work on quotes for new fences at Station 3 (Atherton side) and Station 1 (6 ft with power gate), in coordination with Construction/Improvement.
• Ensure all District facilities, both inside and out, are maintained to safety and operational standards, addressing identified needs as part of a comprehensive maintenance strategy.
• Create a long-term maintenance plan to ensure consistent upkeep of all District properties and assess potential for a dedicated full-time facilities position (internal or external).
• Evaluate District facilities for opportunities to improve energy efficiency and pursue a transition to LED lighting in partnership with Eco-Green Solutions and PG&E. Additionally, address safety and security upgrades identified through the workplace safety questionnaire, including the fix of Station 2's street entry.
• Address firefighter health and wellness in emergency response by retrofitting older stations with color-changing lights and ramped tones. The lights can be dimmed at night to reduce eye strain, while the ramped tones offer a gentler way to wake firefighters, helping to lower stress and improve sleep quality.