Firefighter Aaron Harmon rinses off the engine at Fire Station No. 4 with rainwater collected through a cistern, seen in the background. The station received gold LEED certification for its moves toward being a greener facility, which includes a cistern to collect rainwater, controlled lighting and low water usage toilets and sinks.What: Gold LEED Certified fire house
Owner: Chattanooga Fire Department
Location: 2181 Bragg St.
How it's green: The fire station was built with several energy-saving measures such as heat reflective roofing and water conservation systems. The station collects about 1,200 gallons of water every time it rains, which firefighters use to clean engines and the station's cement floors.
What's the cost? Though the $1.2 million fire station required a bit more up-front costs, Chattanooga Fire Department Chief Randy Parker said he expects minimal maintenance costs and will see about 35 percent savings on utility bills. "Budgets are tight everywhere," he said. "We tried to design as least an expensive building as we can that won't cost you money down the road with repairs and upkeep."
Why do it this way? Fire fighters are in the station 24/7, so energy savings can go a long way. Also, the station's water collection systems prevent dirty storm water from washing back into the city's sewer system.
Advice for others considering green initiatives: Get an architect involved in the project early. "You can research things on the Internet and save money on things, but most of the time it's design," Parker said. With early planning, architects are able to make certain design choices to make buildings more energy efficient.
Is environmentalism an essential part of the operation and why? The fire department is responsible for safely cleaning up after car wrecks, making sure pollutants such as oil and anti-freeze are contained, so environmental protection is part of its job.