Anaheim Fire & Rescue says new and relocated Station 5 will reduce response times

As deputy chief of Support Services for Anaheim Fire & Rescue, Jeff Alario gets to do cool stuff like order new engines and trucks (“apparatus,” in the jargon of the fire service) and customize the rigs with all the latest bells and whistles.

It’s a job the deputy chief relishes.

“I get to think about what best serves the needs of our agency as well as the needs of the community we serve,” Alario said.

Recently, Alario shared plans for something in the works for a year:

The new Station 5 will be located at what is now a dirt lot at 2540 E. La Palma Avenue. AF&R photo

A brand-new Station 5, to replace the aging facility on 1154 N. Kraemer Blvd.

Station 5 will relocate to what is now a dirt lot at 2540 E. La Palma Ave.

Groundbreaking is expected in the spring, with move-in possible by the end of 2017.

“I’d love to work there,” said Alario, “but I’m leaving soon.”

Indeed, the 25-year veteran of Anaheim Fire & Rescue is retiring Dec. 15.

That doesn’t mean he won’t be able to visit the new Station 5, which Alario and a team of four AF&R captains helped design after touring 15 different fire stations throughout Southern California.

AF&R photo

The Anaheim City Council already has signed off on the $5.5-million project.

In addition to providing Anaheim citizens with a brand-new facility, the relocated Station 5 will result in reduced response times.

“There’s a gap in the north (Anaheim) area where we are not meeting our optimal response times, near the 91 Freeway and State College Boulevard, and moving Station 5 will result in faster response times in that area,” Alario said.

In addition to the relocated Station 5, Alario said AF&R has engaged in a land swap with Anaheim Public Utilities for a future new station. Anaheim Public Utilities now owns the land where the current Station 5 stands, at 1154 N. Kraemer Blvd. AF&R now owns land at 4950 E. La Palma Ave. that eventually will be razed for a new fire station.

Another option for the exterior. AF&R photo

As for the new Station 5, highlights include:

— A larger apparatus bay that will hold five to six rigs

— A dorm with eight individual rooms, including a bed and desk. Older stations have shared rooms.

— A commercial-style, stainless-steel kitchen

— A female-only locker room

AF&R photo

— An exercise room. Some stations only have room for exercise equipment in the “apparatus bay,” the garage for trucks and engines.

— A negative-pressure turnout room that sucks the gunk out of dirty turnouts

— A complete laundry facility

— A commercial ice machine

— An isolated captain’s office

— Bi-folding doors to the apparatus bay that open from the side, as opposed to doors that roll up into the ceiling. Some roll-up doors take about 25 seconds to open while the side-opening doors take 4 to 6 seconds, improving response times.

The layout of the new Station 5. AF&R photo