Several Fire & Police Station Projects Ahead  
 

Watch for progress on the following in 2023-2024
 

     Two stations on the North side of the Cape Cod Canal and two stations on the South side of the Canal.

     STATION 1 - The Buzzards Bay Fire Station on Main Street always served as the Headquarters, with administrative offices, dispatch, and the major pieces of apparatus.

     In the 1980s or early 1990s, dispatch went to the Bourne Police. In 1996, the Barnstable Sheriff's Department took over dispatching Bourne and continues to today.

     In 2017, the Bourne Headquarters offices moved to the Sagamore Fire Station 3, which is the largest, newest facility that could support Headquarters functions.

     STATION 2 - The Monument Beach Fire Station 2 on Thomas Philbrick Road is the smallest and oldest facility (100+ years old). At one time, staffed by a House Man who lived in the station. For many years, since the 1970s, an active Call Station.

     In 2022, the old Monument Beach Station 2 was called upon to become a staffed station when it had to serve as the "south side station" when the Pocasset Station 4 had to suddenly be closed due to structural and safety reasons.

     A mobile trailer was placed next to the Mo Beach Station (for living quarters) and apparatus, including an Ambulance was relocated from Station 4 to Station 2. The long time  Station 2, was reassigned as Station 4 (for dispatch and operational purposes).

     STATION 3 - The Sagamore Fire Station 3 on Meetinghouse Lane was built in 2006. It was part of the Sagamore Bridge "fly over" project that replaced the Sagamore Rotary, which is where the previous Sagamore Fire Station was located.

     The new station was a much larger, multi-floor, multi-bay fire station. In 2017, the department decided to move Headquarters into the larger facility. Increased office space, an elevator, and training space were some of the advantages.

     STATION 4 - The Pocasset Fire Station 4, on Barlows Landing Road, was built i 1947. At the time, a 2 bay, 2 story wood station. In the 1970s, a third bay was added allowing for an ambulance to be assigned. The station became staffed in the 1980s and was the primary station south of the Canal for many years.

     There has long been a need to modernize, renovate, or replace the south side station (s) to house larger apparatus, staffing, etc.  Station 4 has always been in a high water table area and had a wet basement (sump pump) issue.

     As early as 2018, and in reality way before, talk of doing "something" about the situation periodically came up. In 2018 a Study Committee was established to look at options. The committee looked at various sites for a new fire station, and whether a single station could serve the south side adequately. Progress was slow and stalled off and on.

     In the Fall of 2021, the apparatus floor in the Pocasset Station was deemed unsafe and the station was abruptly and unexpectedly forced to close. With Winter coming, it created a challenge as to how to serve the large area south of the Canal, as well as the rest of the town. The quick solution was to utilize the Monument Beach Station to house apparatus and use a mobile home trailer to support the crew. The move was made.

     The (3) person crew for the Pocasset Station, relocated to Monument Beach. Engine 4, the ambulance, and officer's pickup truck also moved. The "call Engine 122" and Tanker 128 had to be relocated as well. The "call" Engine could be housed in the one newer bay at Pocasset, So the Monument Beach Station was renumbered "Station 4" and Pocasset became Station 2.

     Now, in 2022, with an increased need to solve the problem, a Southside Fire Station Committee was tasked with looking at potential Station sites. A list of (7) potential sites was eventually narrowed to (3) best sites. These were prioritized and followed up on.

     Ultimately, there were challenges with one of the preferred sites near the former Go Cart Track on McArthur Blvd (Rte 28) near Clay Pond Road. A deal could not be agreed on, and the search continued.

     By June of 2023, the Committee had come full circle, and was once again looking at the renovation/rebuilding/replacement option at the current Pocasset Site on Barlows Landing Road. Preliminary plans for an adequate Station were created and things seemed to be moving forward.

     In November 2023, the Committee determined that the potential Flood Zone issues with the Barlows Landing site needed to be addressed. So once again, the Committee is looking at options. Among them are sites on McArthur Blvd near Clay Pond Road (previously preferred), A ball field on Shore Road, and a piece of property near Dr Julius Kelly Lane off County Road in Cataumet.

     More to follow......

Updated Dec 2023

     In 2018, a committee looked at several options. Ultimately, the optimal choice was not available and a reset took place.

     In the Fall of 2019, voters approved some money to move forward with a new fire station plan. In May 2021, $11 Million was approved for a simple new 4 bay fire station. After bids came in, it was determined that an additional $1.2 Million would be needed to complete the $12.6 Million project. That funding was approved at the May 26, 2022 Town Meeting for the new fire station and a separate, adjacent Tri-State EMS facility..

     On May 28, 2022 the old fire station was torn down, making room for the new station to be built. Apparatus was relocated to other locations during construction.

     Construction began on a small, 4 bay station for the fire apparatus, and the second 2 bay building with facilities and training space at an adjacent Tri-Town EMS Headquarters. Both essentially on the site of the original station and the lot behind.

     Chilmark FD was able to move in in the Summer of 2023, with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in July 2023. Some apparatus was moved around and a new apparatus delivered.

     We have not yet seen the new facility in person, but look forward to it.

     More to Follow.....

     Update Dec 2023

     In December 2021, funding was approved for a new Station 2. A site had already been determined at 350 Paddocks Path. A large site, with good access to primary roads. Ground preparation immediately followed, with an official ground breaking on January 13, 2022. Construction began soon after.

     The new building will be (2) Story, with (3) large double deep drive through bays. A large meeting room, living space, and public space is also included. The original completion date was planned for Spring of 2023, but "supply chain" issues and other setbacks put off opening to sometime in 2024.

     Ultimately the department with utilize half the on duty crew at this station with (2) Engines, (2) Ambulances, and other support vehicles when opened.

     More to follow....

     Update Dec 2023.

       The Station was built as an unstaffed station, well before any on duty EMS or other personnel were even imagined.

      As Edgartown has grown, gotten busier, and added personnel, the department began looking in 2021 at several options for improving the facility.

      In April 2023, Edgartown voters approved a new $21 Million, 14,000 Square foot fire station to be built on the same site as the current Pease Point Way Station.

     More to follow.....

     Update Dec 2023.

 

     For many years, Falmouth FD has operated from (5) Fire Stations.

    STATION 1 - Fire Headquarter on Main Street, in Falmouth Center, was completely renovated and added onto in 2002. For many years, up until about Jan 2017, dispatch had been in Headquarters. In 2017, a combined Fire/Police/Town communications center was opened in the Police Station.

    STATION 2 - Woods Hole Road was built in 1976. It is a single story, 3 bay station. Originally, staffed by a single (1) Firefighter per shift. It is currently staffed by (2) firefighters and includes an Ambulance.

    STATION 3 - North Falmouth was built in 1950 (73+ years). The station is (2) Story and (2) bays. Also originally staffed by only (1) on duty firefighter, it is currently staffed by (2) on duty personnel with an Engine and Ambulance. It is on a lot that does not permit further expansion and the station is tight with newer apparatus and an Ambulance.

     STATION 4 - West Falmouth was built in 1930 (93+ years). It is a small (2) story brick, single bay station staffed by (1) firefighter for years. Also located on a very small lot with no place to go. The bay was modified as much as possible, but is still not able to house the majority of Falmouth's current apparatus fleet. A number of issues, including staffing challenges and constraints on apparatus options, almost led to the station being closed permanently in July 2020.

     Concerned citizens, and some additional funding, allowed for the station to remain operational, provided it could be staffed with (2) per shift and that a fire truck that was in service could fit in the bay.

     In December 2021, a major water leak flooded the basement and closed the station until repairs could be made.

     STATION 5 - East Falmouth Fire Station was built in 1980. It is a single story building with (3) double deep, drive through apparatus bays. In addition, the building houses the department's Repair and Maintenance Shops. This station covers a lot of area and tends to be the second busiest district in town. Originally staffed with (2) personnel, in recent years that was boosted to (4) personnel including an officer, allowing it to handle many calls that once pulled personnel out of Station 1 as well.

     STATION 6 - Sandwich Road, Hatchville. For decades, talk of building a Fire Station to cover the north-central, north-east part of town known as Hatchville had be discussed with little or no progress.

     On May 17, 2022 Falmouth voters approved $10 Million funding for a new fire station to be built at 878 Sandwich Road in Hatchville. A (3) bay, double deep, 11,000 sq ft station is being built on the site. Construction began in Spring 2023. The new station, when completed sometime in 2024, is expected to be staffed by (2) personnel, with at least an Engine and Ambulance. The location of the station, essentially in the middle of town, will likely enable it to also support districts  downtown, in the north, and in the east.

     Discussion continues on whether the North Falmouth 3 and West Falmouth Station 4 can be refurbished, rebuilt, combined, or replaced at some time in the future. Staffing and apparatus size will continue to push the issues until resolved. Whether the town ultimately ends up with a "North-West" Station and (5) total, or if (6) Stations works in the future is something to keep an eye on.

     More to follow....

     Update Dec 2023

     The building had been vacated in 1996 when the current Harwich Headquarters opened on Sisson Road. Work began in 2023 to turn the old station into a useful facility, that among other things, will become home to the 1926 Maxim antique pumper that once served from that building as Engine 1.

     More to follow....

     Update Dec 2023


 

     The brick fire station is on multiple levels, with (2) separate apparatus levels. The larger room is (3) deep bays under the station that typically house larger fire apparatus. The second (2) story, double deep, drive through bays is closer to personnel and houses Ambulances.

     The Headquarters offices, staffing quarters, and facilities were not designed well for current or future staffing.

     In 2020, a Committee was formed to look at options for the future of the Orleans Fire Station. The study on whether the current station or a replacement station would best serve the future needs.

     More to follow....

     Update Dec 2023

     Currently Plymouth is served by (7) Fire Stations.

     STATION 1 - Headquarters on Sandwich Street (3A) in downtown Plymouth was a former building, that was renovated an opened as a Fire Headquarters around 1978. Two story brick, 3 deep bays, plus vehicle storage in a basement level. A dispatch room in the front of the station and living quarters and administrative facilities on 2nd floor.

     In about 2019, some ordinary repairs resulted in some ceiling collapses and related issues on the second floor, rendering the station unable to be fully occupied until repairs were made. Apparatus had to be temporarily relocated at other stations and a mobile trailer unit was brought in until living quarters could be re-occupied.

     The station was repaired and reoccupied, but a town-wide Fire Department needs study also looks at options for a potential new Fire Headquarters in the future. One location on Obery Street would be ideal in many ways according to the report.

     STATION 2 - West Plymouth, once referred to as Seven Corners, was built around 1975, on Samoset Street. A single story, brick station with 3 double deep drive through bays, and a large 2 bay Repair /Maintenance Shop.

     Not long after Station 1 had its problems in 2019, Station 2 also was found to have issues that required immediate attention. A trailer was also brought in for staffing to live in.

     In 2023, a major renovation began on Station 2. The living quarters were torn down and a large new two story structure was added. Work IN PROGRESS as of Dec 2023.

     STATION 3 - The Pine Hills is a large development near the middle of the town. A new Fire Station 3 was built to support the area in 2001. It is a single story (3) bay double deep station.

     STATION 4 - Known as the Bourne Road Station, Station 4 is a (2) bay brick station that opened about 1977. The station is probably the most remote from all other stations in the south-west side of town which has seen tremendous growth in recent years.

     Plymouth plans to replace Station 4 with a new station as soon as funding is approved.

     STATION 5 - The Manomet Fire Station 5 was built about 1989, to replace an older facility. The brick station has (3) deep bays with (1) drive through bay.

     A major renovation and addition to Station 5 began in 2023 and should be completed in 2024. Work is IN PROGRESS Dec 2023.

     STATION 6 - The Cedarville Fire Station 6 was built in 1999, replacing an older station. The station is single story brick (with basement and EOC) with (3) double deep bays.

     STATION 7 - North Plymouth. The oldest active Station in Plymouth , built in 1911, was on Spooner St in North Plymouth.

     Funding was approved for construction of a new North Plymouth Station in 2017 and construction had already had begun on a new North Plymouth Station 7 at 15 Hedge Road in 2019 when the old station had to be closed in Nov 2019 due to structural issues. Apparatus was relocated for about 6 months, until the new Station opened in  July 2020.

     The new station is 2 story brick with (3) double deep bays.

     PLYMOUTH will continue to upgrade current stations and probably look at new facilities in the future.

     More to follow....

     Update Dec 2023

     The new police station is under construction at the intersection of Route 6 and Shank Painter Road.

     More to follow....

     Update Dec 2023