Staff Photo by Tim Barber Chattanooga Fire Department Station 4 is located at the corner of Dodds Avenue and Bragg Street in East Chattanooga.
In a sector best known for the distinct red of its ladder engines, the Chattanooga Fire Department has gone decidedly green.
The fire department debuted a new station Thursday on Bragg Street in East Chattanooga, a building that use energy-efficient features such as low maintenance floors that require little waxing and water fixtures that emit less flow, Chief Randy Parker said.
"This is a green fire station," he said during the official reopening ceremony Thursday. "By green, we mean it will be a LEED-certified facility."
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design was developed by the U.S. Building Council to establish standards for environmentally sustainable construction.
The former Station No. 4, originally built in 1955, was demolished in March 2008. At that time, the city and fire department committed to building a facility that was environmentally friendly. The new building cost about $1.3 million.
"We didn't go cheap," Mayor Ron Littlefield said. "We went first class."
The roof of the one-story, double-bay station is slanted to one side to collect rainwater that is then stored in a cistern and later used to wash fire equipment. Transparent glass on the garage doors allows sunlight in during the day so artificial light is not needed.
The overall calculated energy savings is 30 percent, said project architect Justin Dumsday, who works for Artech.
"The city is very much on a green path," Mr. Dumsday said.
About Station No. 4
* The original station was constructed in 1955 and demolished in March 2008.
* Construction on its replacement began Aug. 25, 2008 and was completed July 2.
* The cost of construction was about $1.3 million.
* The Hamilton County Department of Education donated additional land at Hardy Elementary School to accommodate a larger station.
Source: Chattanooga Fire Department
The original fire station did not have separate facilities for men and women, which the new one features. Firefighters also will have individual sleeping quarters.
The city and department have not yet officially discussed whether any other fire stations will be renovated with "green" features, spokesman Bruce Garner said.
