Setauket FD PresentationRevised

Board of Commissioners
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Paul M. DiBiase, Chairman
James Makarius Jr., Vice Chairman
Paul A. Paglia, Commissioner
Kevin Yoos, Commissioner,
Thomas P. Gallagher, Commissioner
David Sterne, District Manager
Architect:
H2M Architects & Engineers
•  Danny Tanzi, Senior Architect, LEED AP
Introducing Ourselves •  The fire department – composed of the volunteers who ‘answer the call’
– was begun in 1909, when governmental structure was more limited.
The company still maintains a Board of Directors, who largely exist for
the welfare of all of the volunteers. Annually, the department solicits
donations for community activities, member retention, family gatherings
and nominal firefighter benefits like specialized insurance.
•  The fire district was established in 1928 in order to manage and
administer fire services for the community. The district creates and
implements a budget, among other administrative duties.
Our Service Area • 
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28 square mile area
30 miles of shoreline
10,000+ residences
700+ businesses
Population over 90,000
10+ local schools
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook Hospital
35,000+ vehicles on Nichols
Road daily
Serving the Growing Needs
of the Community Total Number of Calls 3,417 2,364 1,547 1,751 865 1971 1981 1991 2002 2013 Our Challenge: An Overview • 
The Setauket Firehouse, built in 1935, has served the community well for 79 years. But
it has far exceeded its useful life. A new facility is a critical priority.
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For the past 9 years, the fire district has researched its options for replacing the existing
firehouse.
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In 2005, the Board of Commissioners sought public support for a $17.5 million building
to meet the department’s needs. This request was not approved by the public.
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In 2008, the Board sought public support for a modified project costing $14.9 million (a
$12.9 million bond). This request was not approved by the public.
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Over the past 6 years, the building has continued to deteriorate, compromising the safety
of our volunteers. It does not best serve the needs of the department or the greater
community.
Engaging the Community •  In 2012, the new Board of Commissioners formed a committee of community
residents to review previous project proposals and engage in the design process.
•  The goal was to present a proposal to the community that meets the current and
future needs of the department, considers community concerns about the new
structure and is cost-effective, thereby limiting the financial impact to taxpayers.
•  The proposal being presented tonight is the result of these committee meetings
and workshops.
Times Have Changed! •  In 1935, the equipment needed to fight a fire was limited.
•  In 2014, the amount of equipment needed to respond to an emergency has
evolved, as has the size of the equipment.
Firehouses of Today… •  Must be built to last 50-100 years
•  Must accommodate current and future needs
•  Must be resilient to withstand the kind of use and abuse they will be subjected to
over the decades in which they are in service.
Architect Danny Tanzi will now present the challenges of the existing building and the
proposal for a new firehouse on the same site.
Current Setauket Firehouse • 
Built in 1935. Major concerns are building degradation and space limitations.
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Space is very tight and ceiling heights are too low. This presents a major safety issue for volunteers
in the apparatus bay, as they have very little room to maneuver.
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Building deficiencies are hindering the fire department’s ability to safely and effectively protect the
community.
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The existing structure cannot fit all equipment. What it can accommodate barely fits inside the
building.
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Lacks building accessibility (ADA). Existing truck bay floor heights vary and there are steps
throughout that create unsafe responder access.
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Plagued with code and safety deficiencies. It does not meet ADA regulations, OSHA regulations or
FEMA recommendations.
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Mechanical and electrical systems are old, antiquated, substandard and energy inefficient
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Is not conducive to the goals of attracting, training and maintaining volunteer first
responders.
Current Setauket Firehouse • 
A renovation was completed in the 1950s.
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A rear truck room addition was completed in the 1970s.
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It has been over 40 years that significant work has been done to address the facility
issues faced by the district and department.
Water leakage from the rooftop
cupola has damaged the ceiling.
The building also suffers from damage to
the flooring and to the exterior of the
building.
There are mere inches for
a truck to clear the bay at
the current firehouse.
Recommendations are
for a clearance of 24”.
This is a critical
responder safety issue.
Space inside the
bays is so tight
that vehicles are
inches from one
another. Space
between the
apparatus and the
walls is also very
tight. This allows
very little room for
firefighters to
maneuver when
responding to an
emergency. A
clearance of 60”
is recommended
for safe access.
Existing truck bay floor heights vary
and there are steps throughout that
create unsafe responder access.
NFPA recommends all responder
access to be provided at grade.
This is a critical responder safety
issue that can only be corrected by
relocating the existing apparatus
room. The slope of 25A is too great
to overcome as it exists.
There is not enough room at the current firehouse to store all vehicles.
The water rescue apparatus is kept outside and stored in shrink wrap
to protect it from the weather. In the event of a water emergency, the
boat would first have to be unwrapped and hooked onto a department
vehicle. This hampers response time.
Existing bays are
approximately 25 feet
from 25A. When a fire
truck is pulled out of its
bay, it meets the edge of
the road. This
compromises the safety
of our volunteers. Current
recommendations call
for 45-50 feet between
the bays and the
bordering road.
Feedback received during the building committee meetings indicate
that maintaining the existing building proximity to 25A is critical to
keeping the desired visual density at the corner.
The existing firehouse does not have a
separate room for storing and donning gear.
NFPA recommends a separate area be
provided off of the apparatus room floor.
This is a critical responder safety issue that
can only be corrected by creating additional
space adjacent to the apparatus room.
There is not adequate space for storage. All
spare spaces have been packed with
equipment and materials. For example,
tables are stored on the stair landing.
Why a Project is Needed •  Under the current conditions, the firehouse does not comply with code and safety
regulations.
•  Due to lack of proper space, our volunteers are at risk for injury every time they
respond to a call.
•  Current equipment does not all fit inside the existing structure.
•  We need to provide proper facilities and a safer environment for the services we
provide.
Current Proposal •  The existing Setauket Firehouse will be renovated and additional square footage
will be added.
•  Taking the community committee’s suggestion into account, the original building
will be maintained. By doing so, we will maintain the existing building proximity
to 25A and the corner’s desired visual density.
•  At 22,990 sq. ft., the new facility will provide much more space for equipment
and firefighters. The current facility totals only 12,030 sq. ft.
•  The renovation/addition work will be conducted in phases. The existing firehouse
will be kept in operation during construction.
•  The new facility will not only provide much needed space, but will be “greener”
and run more efficiently.
Creating a “Green” Project • 
Use of construction materials or methodologies that create greater efficiencies, are
environmentally friendly and promote sustainability. Sustainability used to imply additional
costs, but that is not necessarily the case now.
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Will incorporate the use of local and regional renewable/recycled materials throughout the
finishes to minimize VOC’s and other contaminants that negatively impact the environment
and building occupants.
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Original building will be maintained, eliminating unnecessary waste.
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Our ‘green’ thoughts for the new firehouse have focused on a partial green roof to collect
and utilize storm water, solar panels to generate electricity and hot water for the building,
numerous infrastructure elements like waterless toilets and smart control systems, and
highly efficient mechanical and electrical systems to minimize operating costs. We are
also looking to minimize paved areas and restore some paved areas to permeable
surfaces.
We believe this is a responsible position to adopt as part of our
stewardship of an important community resource.
e New Firehouse Will Include… •  Additional (and properly sized) apparatus bays
•  Safe access for all responders (no stepped floors)
•  Meeting room (comparable to existing size)
•  Training room (suitable for dedicated training)
•  Adequate administrative and commensurate storage spaces required for record
keeping
The new firehouse will provide a safe and efficient means of emergency response.
Other needs are secondary.
First Floor Site Plan Second Floor Site Plan North Elevation •  Maintenance of “downtown” feel and integration of local aesthetics
•  Corner of Old Town Road and 25A will be enhanced and softened, creating a
green space
Northeast Corner West Elevation Truck bays will now face Old Town Road, creating a safer means of trucks exiting the
building.
Preliminary Cost Projections Projected cost of the project: $14.9 million
$7,918,150
$2,554,625
$2,086,567
$2,380,603
New addition
Renovation
Sitework/Utilities/Demolition
Soft costs
The project will be funded with a 25-year tax-exempt municipal bond, which
spreads the payments out and lowers the annual tax impact.
Preliminary Cost Projections The project equates to an average of $7.82 a month – or $93.83 a year – for an
average home assessed at $3,831.
The cost of borrowing money remains historically low for municipal projects. But we
are concerned about warnings from experts that interest rates are likely to begin
rising, compelling us to act soon to lock in a low rate of borrowing.
This project is required to be developed under the process known as “Wick’s Law,”
which is the bidding process for public works projects. Currently, competitive bidding
is at an all-time high.
Benefits for Setauket Residents •  A modern facility able to house modern equipment and trucks efficiently.
•  Will eliminate potential response difficulties due to inadequate spaces.
•  Your friends and neighbors will be safer in their work environment.
•  Readies us for the future of fire service with appropriate space, and helps
us to attract much-needed volunteers.
Timeline May 1, 2014
Board of Commissioners to vote on adopting bond referendum proposal
June 17, 2014
Anticipated Vote Date
Polls Open 12-9 p.m.
@ Setauket Firehouse
Questions?