Menlo Park Fire Protection District
Fire Station 77
Fire Station 77
Fire Station 77 is located at 1467 Chilco Street in the City of Menlo Park, adjoining the Dumbarton Branch rail line. This Station houses an engine company, the District’s water rescue facility, and related equipment including an airboat, jet skis, and rigid-hull inflatable boats. The Mechanical Division is also housed at this facility which was built in 1996. The 9,259 sq. ft. of ancillary buildings includes a mechanic shop, classroom, water rescue facilities, and storage and parking enclosure. The 4,400 sq. ft. fire station is in good condition and serves the Belle Haven area of Menlo Park. The land is owned by the City of Menlo Park and is leased to the District. In 2018, the District purchased 1457 Chilco Street for the future purpose of merging the two lots for the construction of a new fire station. The District is in the process of soliciting bids for the construction of several improvements at Fire Station 77 to enhance the capabilities at this station. The additions are comprised of the construction of a fitness room, an expansion of the existing mechanic shop, and the building of a carport. Additionally, the District is in the process of replacing its aging emergency generator.
Fire Station 77 has the primary response areas of the eastern section of the City of Menlo Park known as Bell Haven, the Bayfront, and the City of East Palo Alto. Station 77 personnel receive training in boat operations and water rescue and provide water rescue in waterways within the District and assist other agencies throughout the bay area. Staffed units at this station include Engine 77 with a captain and two firefighters, one being a qualified engineer, an airboat, a rigid bottom inflatable boat, jet skis, and CAL-OES swift water rescue inflatable boats in addition to the requisite equipment. The District maintains its vehicle maintenance shop at Station 77 with a fleet supervisor and mechanic. The District on-staff mechanics perform the maintenance of apparatus and equipment.
Fire Station 77-Mechanic Shop and Room Addition Project
The existing Fire Station 77 site located at 1467 Chilco Street, Menlo Park is comprised of three main structures as well as several carports. The three structures include the fire station, a storage facility, and a mechanics shop where the District performs all of its in-house maintenance and repairs to the District’s apparatus and vehicles. All of these structures were constructed in the late ’90s. The District proposes to perform several additions at Fire Station 77 to enhance the capabilities at this station. The additions are comprised of the construction of a fitness room, an expansion of the existing mechanic shop, and the building of a carport. Additionally, the District is in the process of replacing the Station 77 emergency generator with a newer larger generator that is capable of providing emergency power to all three buildings.
The fire station was constructed with a 176 sq. ft. room located at the rear of the station to serve as the firefighter’s fitness room. In comparison to today’s standards the District constructs fitness rooms that are 600 sq. ft. in size. Due to the limited space, the fitness equipment has been relocated to the apparatus bay. While the apparatus bay provides sufficient space for the fitness equipment this setup is not ideal as it limits the use of the apparatus bay by taking up valuable space, eliminates the use of the drive-through bay, and increases the potential for the firefighters to be exposed to diesel fumes. The proposed construction of a 629 sq. ft. fitness room would free up space in the apparatus bay, allow for rear entry through the drive-through bay, and provides a properly sized and safe space for the firefighters to exercise in. The fitness room is proposed to be constructed at the rear of the fire station and would replace the kitchen patio.
The existing mechanic shop consists of two apparatus bays to service the District’s apparatus and fleet. The bays are fifty feet in length which has limited the mechanic's ability to service the District’s longer apparatus which exceeds sixty-five feet in length. The District proposes extending the length of the mechanic shop by constructing a metal structure in front of the existing mechanic shop that is thirty-one feet in length. The new 1104 sq. ft. structure would be freestanding from the existing mechanic shop. The extension would allow for the longest piece of apparatus to be parked inside the shop. This addition will allow for reduced downtime of the apparatus and improve working conditions for the District’s mechanics. The third proposed addition is the construction of a carport. This carport would be built between two existing carports. The new carport would cover three parking spaces. The construction of the carport will assist in limiting damage to the District’s vehicles by reducing the damage caused by the sun and other elements.
For all three additions, the District plans to use similar materials to that of the structure to which it is adjacent or attached. The exterior finish will be painted to match the existing colors of the fire station, mechanic shop, and carports. During construction, the firefighters will continue to operate out of the fire station with the emergency response not being impacted. The District is currently soliciting bids for the construction of this work.
Fire Station 77-Generator Replacement Project
The Fire Station 77 15kw generator is failing and replacement parts are difficult to obtain. The generator only provides emergency power to the fire station. The project includes the replacement of the generator and automatic transfer switch (ATS). In addition, the new 50kw generator will be connected to all three buildings. To achieve this, additional conduit work will be required. The project is currently in the design phase and is expected to be completed in 2025.