Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District

For the first time in over thirty years, the residents of the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District (NEAFD) voted to authorize the funds for a new fire station headquarters. NEAFD, which serves seventeen municipalities in St. Louis County as well as the University of Missouri St. Louis, is one of the busiest districts in all of St. Louis County. The new 31,000 sq. ft. facility reflects the contextual heritage of the surrounding neighborhoods utilizing limestone, brick and slate. JEMA worked with Chief Quinten Randolph and his crew to develop the pioneering design, which features five drive-through apparatus bays, a community and training center, individual sleeping suites, and a storm shelter. To maximize response time, two fire poles along with a communicating stair provide exceptionally quick access from the upper floor to the apparatus bay. Enhancing response time even further is the use of four-fold door technology.

The apparatus bay has a perimeter glass clerestory that allows for abundant natural light throughout the day, reducing the need for artificial lighting and cutting the district’s energy consumption. The lower level contains a structurally hardened storm shelter that acts as a place of refuge for the community during storms and other natural disasters.