San Antonio Fire Chief Charles N. Hood was joined by Councilman Ray Lopez of District 6, serving as Mayor Pro-Tem, and other City officials in a hose uncoupling ceremony to officially open the San Antonio Fire Department’s (SAFD) new Services & Logistics Facility located on the City’s northwest side on Callaghan Road at Highway 151.
“Services & Logistics serves as a hub for all of the repair and supply work the SAFD does and I am pleased to say that District 6 is their new home,” said Councilman Lopez.
The San Antonio Fire Department has 51 stations spread across the city of San Antonio and each one relies on Services & Logistics for the repair and routine maintenance of fire and EMS apparatus. They service over 360 vehicles for the department. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, Thermal Imaging Cameras and gas detection monitors are also maintained and repaired in this facility. Personnel at the facility are responsible for repairs and maintenance to fire stations as well. Additionally, the facility supplies each fire station with equipment like axes, hose and even trash bags.
“This facility is a critical component in enhancing our life safety infrastructure, it will enable us to better manage our increasing resource and logistical needs,” said Chief Hood. “Everything that we do is centered around taking care of our citizens on their worst day.”
The Services & Logistics facility houses six heavy duty bays that serve 12 large vehicles with a covered area that can park an additional 12 vehicles. They have three light duty bays that serve six small/medium vehicles like ambulances and command vehicles. This area also features a covered area that can park an additional six vehicles. Three technical bays allow small/medium vehicles to be customized to Fire/EMS standards.
“We have over fifty dedicated employees who now work under one roof to provide the firefighters and medics in the field with the vehicles, supplies and equipment they need to take care of our citizens,” said Stephen Reuthinger, SAFD Services & Logistics Chief.
The facility also houses 16,000 square feet of warehouse storage space that contains supplies for fire and EMS personnel. The remaining space is dedicated to 16 offices, five shared work areas, lockers and changing rooms, a training room and a kitchen and dining area. Construction on the $6.37 million space began in October 2011.
“With so many unique job functions housed under one roof, we had to be diligent when we designed and constructed this building,” said Mike Frisbie, City Engineer and Capital Improvements Management Services Director. “Working with SAFD staff, we were able to identify their core needs and ensure they had the facility they needed to continue serving the residents of San Antonio.”
Capital Improvements Management Services managed the project for the San Antonio Fire Department. OCO Architects designed the building and Swinerton Builders served as the contractor. Foster CM Group inspected the project. Funding was obtained through Certificates of Obligation.
