Behind the Badge
Residents of the Village of Rienda and Rancho Mission Viejo got a glimpse of a new-style firefighting operation when the ribbon was cut on Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Station 67 on Thursday, Dec. 8.
How new is the unique, first-of-its-kind modular station?
Its address at the corner of Cow Camp and Legado roads didn’t show up on the mobile mapping devices most visitors used to try to find the station.
Officials gather for a ribbon-cutting at a new-style firefighting operation at Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Station 67 in the Village of Rienda and Rancho Mission Viejo on Thursday, Dec. 8.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The temporary station will service the Village of Rienda and provide support to the nearby Sendero Station for the next seven or eight years until a permanent station is built.
Despite the “temporary” tag, the new station is a state-of-the-art, first-of-its-kind 2,600-square-foot prefabricated facility, with a $5 million price tag. The station was built as part of a Fire Protection Agreement between the county agency and Rancho Mission Viejo.
Called the “Cadillac” of temporary stations by OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy, the facility contains all the amenities of a permanent facility, is open 24/7, and is home to a captain and four-person engine company, all of whom are also paramedics and carry the same ALS medical equipment as an ambulance.
“In the past we’d be in double-wide trailers,” said Captain John Kafoury of former temporary stations. “This feels like a permanent station.”
Attendees gather for a photo during the ribbon-cutting event at the new firefighting operation at Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Station 67 in the Village of Rienda and Rancho Mission Viejo on Thursday, Dec. 8.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Captain Sean Doran, public information officer for the fire authority, praised Rancho Mission Viejo, which partnered with Nevada modular construction company Xtreme Cubes, to construct the first prefabricated station in Orange County.
“They took this as if it was their own,” Doran said. “They wanted the fire department to have everything it needed.”
Doran said the station is “green, faster and smarter,” while still fulfilling the priorities of public safety and service.
OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy, left, with Michael Balsamo, Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations for Rancho Mission Viejo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The facility features six individual dorm-style rooms, a captain’s office, four bathrooms, including an ADA accessible public restroom, a kitchen with three full refrigerators (one for each shift), a fitness room, and a day room with recliners and a wide-screen television.
The station also has a three-engine bay with apparatus to service all the engines. The station currently houses a Type 1 fire engine to service residential areas, and a Type 3 engine equipped for more rugged terrain and to fight wildfires.
Outgoing Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, who attended the ribbon-cutting, said she had secured funds to deliver two HeloPods to the area, which are high-capacity water tanks that can be used to fight wildfires more effectively. She said she hoped the new station “will set residents at ease,” about local firefighting capabilities.
Michael Balsamo, Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations for Rancho Mission Viejo, left, with OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy and Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The station was custom made offsite and delivered to its new home, reducing waste, site disturbance and saving time. However, according to representatives from the company, the station conforms to the same building codes and architectural specifications.
Xtreme Cubes’ projects have ranged from single-family homes to Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mike Balsamo, Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations for Rancho Mission Viejo, said the developers have committed to a permanent station that will be more centrally located in Rienda by 2030.
He added that Rancho Mission Viejo has agreed to build two more permanent stations as development phases are completed.
A new-style firefighting operation at Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Station 67 in the Village of Rienda and Rancho Mission Viejo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
When the new station is built, portions of the temporary facility can be moved elsewhere in the community for a different use.
In introducing the new station, Fennessy invoked the spirit of Marguerite “Daisy” O’Neill, matron of the O’Neill/Moiso/Avery family that once owned and managed more than 200,000 acres of The Ranch that includes the family-developed cities and communities of Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Mission Viejo, and Rancho Santa Margarita.
One of O’Neill’s credos was “If you take care of the land, it will take care of you.”
In partnering on the new facility, Fennessy said OCFA honors that philosophy and “more than that, takes care of people.”
A new-style firefighting operation at Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Station 67 in the Village of Rienda and Rancho Mission Viejo. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Station 67 in the Village of Rienda and Rancho Mission Viejo. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The fire station has a three-engine bay with apparatus to service all the engines, and currently houses a Type 1 fire engine to service residential areas, and a Type 3 engine equipped for more rugged terrain and to fight wildfires. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Michael Balsamo and Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett cut the ribbon for OCFA Rienda Fire Station 67 in Rancho Mission Viejo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Michael Balsamo and Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett cut the ribbon for the Rienda Fire Station 67 in Rancho Mission Viejo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCFA and Rancho Mission Viejo celebrate the opening of the new Rienda fire station.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy, left, with Michael Balsamo, Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations Rancho Mission Viejo during the opening of the new Rienda fire station.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Michael Balsamo, Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations for
Rancho Mission Viejo, left, with OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy, receives a Certificate of Recognition plaque from Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, right.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCFA’s new prefab temporary Rienda fire station in Rancho Mission Viejo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCFA’s new temporary Rienda fire station in Rancho Mission Viejo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCFA’s new temporary Rienda fire station in Rancho Mission Viejo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The apparatus bay for OCFA’s new temporary Rienda fire station in Rancho Mission Viejo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCFA’s new temporary Rienda fire station in Rancho Mission Viejo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCFA’s new temporary Rienda Fire Station 67 in Rancho Mission Viejo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Firefighters in the kitchen of OCFA’s new Rienda Fire Station 67 in Rancho Mission Viejo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy stands for the posting of the colors during the opening of OCFA’s new Rienda Fire Station 67.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Michael Balsamo, Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations for Rancho Mission Viejo, stands in front of the apparatus bay during the opening of OCFA’s new Rienda Fire Station 67.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Michael Balsamo, Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations for Rancho Mission Viejo, during the opening of OCFA’s new Rienda Fire Station 67.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Michael Balsamo, Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations for Rancho Mission Viejo, during the opening of OCFA’s new Rienda Fire Station 67.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy during the opening of OCFA’s new Rienda Fire Station 67.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy stands in front of the apparatus bay during the opening of OCFA’s new Rienda Fire Station 67.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett during the opening of OCFA’s new Rienda Fire Station 67.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett during the opening of OCFA’s new Rienda Fire Station 67.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCFA Capt. John Kafoury at Rienda Fire Station 67 in Rancho Mission Viejo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
A tour group viewing the new OCFA Fire Station 67 in Rancho Mission Viejo passes a flag on the wall.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The day room for firefighters at OCFA’s new Rienda fire station.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
An exercise room is available to firefighters at OCFA’s new Rienda fire station.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Exercise equipment is available to firefighters at the OCFA’s new Rienda fire station.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
An individual dorm room for firefighters at OCFA’s new Rienda fire station.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Michael Balsamo, Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations
for Rancho Mission Viejo, right, with Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
