Though the Jefferson City Fire Department celebrated the opening of a brand new station last year, department officials say they are struggling with other outdated stations and would need about $160,000 to address the most immediate needs.
But that figure may be an unlikely amount to reach, as the draft 2016 budget only has about $37,000 allocated to fire station repairs, though that could change as the City Council continues work on the draft.
At the Public Safety Committee meeting Thursday, department staff presented a facility review of the current fire stations and detailing the issues with each, as well as outlining immediate, mid-range and long-range needs.
Each of the fire stations have a number of immediate needs listed, except for station No. 3, which was the first new station for the department in more than 20 years. The $2.4 million station, located on Missouri 179 just a block away from Gerbes West, opened last year.
Immediate needs include upgrading to efficiency lighting in all stations; repairing siding or facade at stations 2, 3 and 5; repairing the foundation of the radio building at station No. 4 and replacing rear steps at station No. 1. Initial estimates show it could cost around $160,000 to address all the department's immediate facility needs.
Chief Matt Schofield said two of the department's stations were designed more than 40 years ago, and while adaptation is possible in some areas, there may be a need to completely replace stations that are ill-equipped for female firefighters or too costly to repair.
The review lists roughly $650,000 in mid-range needs including bathroom upgrades, roof repairs and adding fitness and storm shelters for personnel. As for long-range needs, the review only lists one item - construction of station No. 6 for an estimated $1.7 million.
A new station would be built on land near the new St. Mary's Hospital on Mission Drive, which the hospital donated to the city and county for a public safety station, though it's long been discussed that it will be used for a city fire station. Schofield noted that donation does have a time constraint specifying the station be built within 12 years of the hospital's dedication.