Cañon City, CO, Area Fire Protection Renovates District’s Oldest Firehouse

Most Cañon City residents have driven by the shiny, new fire station on East Main Street. The facility is full of all the bells and whistles of modern firefighting, but it was just one of the current fire administration’s long-term goals.

After the completion of Station No. 3 in the summer of 2023, the Cañon City Area Fire Protection District moved on to the next goal, which included renovating the other two facilities.

On Tuesday, the Daily Record spoke with Fire Chief David DelVecchio at Station No. 1 at the corner of Harding Avenue and 15th Street for an update on the renovations at the district’s oldest firehouse.

“We’re aiming for functionality and long-term durability,” DelVecchio said. “And we want to improve the lives of firefighters.”

The $2.2 million project officially began in late 2024 when the crew began sorting through, “40 years of accumulation,” as noted by Lieutenant Josh Johnson.

“We donated stuff to other fire departments that could use it,” he added.

After organizing equipment and other items, the crew officially moved into a heated and cooled trailer on the west side of the property while demolition began in the interior. Though the quarters are a bit tight for the five-man crew on any given shift, the benefits of the remodel give them something to look forward to.

“Sleep quality is a big thing for me,” said firefighter Zach Potts. “We won’t have to hear anyone snore anymore.”

Like many firehouses built in the 1980s, Station No. 1 previously boasted a communal living space with a large open-air room. According to DelVecchio, the situation caused disrupted sleep and also introduced issues with mixed-gender firefighting situations.

The remodel will also introduce several new bathrooms to that station, which previously had only two. In addition to the three restrooms designated for the fire crew, there will be a brand new ADA-compliant bathroom for the public in the front of the building.

Like Station No. 3, Station No. 1 will shortly have a fully functional security vestibule, where guests and community members can check in at the front and wait in a secure foyer.

The renovation will also introduce new training props to the station, which was previously only available at Station No. 3.

“We spend numerous hours a day training so that’s going to benefit us, as well as the public,” Johnson said.

Concurrently, the remodel will also serve a larger crew, if and when the needs arise. Currently, the district boasts 16-man shifts with five of them usually at Station No. 1. With the growth of Canon City, district leaders foresee a possible need for more firefighters in the future.

“It should really support our staffing needs in the future,” Johnson said. “We’ll have more space to grow.”

According to general contractor Nick Wheeler, the project is slated and on schedule to wrap up at the end of May. Demolition is completed and new electricity and plumbing are currently being installed. Once that is completed, a new HVAC system will be installed, which will provide central air to the previously swamp cooler-chilled station and spray insulation will be added to the ceiling. The communal sleeping area will be completely overhauled to feature five double bedrooms, which will provide some privacy and much-needed quiet for the firefighters.

DelVecchio also noted that the living area will feature a pressurized air component that will push any nascent diesel fumes away from the firefighters.

“It will be a positive pressurized living space,” he said. “If you open the doors from the living space to the apparatus bay, the positive pressure on the living side will push the air out into the apparatus bay.”

A new station alerting system will also be installed later in the project. Many studies have shown that being jarred out of sleep by blaring sirens and bright, white lights has a negative impact on firefighters, DelVecchio said. In its place, softer, red lights will be installed to help the firefighters adjust as they ready themselves to head out on a call.

Almost ironically, a full fire alarm and impression system will also be installed.

Once renovations are completed in May, the district will move on to Station No. 2 on Elm Avenue which will also receive a generous facelift and additional accommodations. Bids for the project are due on Feb. 19 and the project is slated to begin in June.

Keep up with news at the fire district by visiting canoncityfiredist.colorado.gov.

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