Replacing the original, 50-year-old facility located a block away, is Coastside Fire Station No. 41 - the newest fire station in the region, equipped with modern amenities that will meet the growing needs of 21st century firefighting. Designed with the future in mind, this station will be able to accommodate additional fire fighters as the demand for increased fire protection grows in the area it serves.

A key factor in deciding the new location was the proximity to the highway and minimalization of traffic disruptions to reduce response times, allowing fire fighters to tend to their calls quickly. However, the new facility’s steeply sloping site posed design challenges that resulted in creative space planning to provide all the desired amenities. Nestled into a neighborhood, 16-foot-high retaining walls were elegantly incorporated to maximize the size of the lot while also protecting the citizens from fire station activity. Additional space on the site also meant additional storage for equipment necessary to protect the surrounding community.

The station includes Three drive-thru apparatus bays, sleeping quarters for seven personnel, a 30-person training room, kitchen and dining room, offices, fitness room, turnout storage and shop area. Site improvements for the new station include secured personnel parking, emergency generator, public parking area, and refueling station.

In addition to providing more space and amenities to serve the growing needs of the Fire Protection District, personnel and community safety was paramount throughout the design process. Personnel now have division of clean and dirty zones within the station, keeping harmful carcinogens at a safe distance from the areas they work and live. The station floorplan was designed to reduce response times by centralizing the apparatus bay entrance, easily accessible from anywhere in the single-story station.

COAR Design Group, formerly Jeff Katz Architecture, provided full architectural services including site selection assistance, and CEQA documentation, construction documents, specifications, cost estimates, BIM modeling, maintenance and operation cost reduction planning and construction administration services.

“This fire station will have a huge impact on the safety of the San Mateo County Coast. It offers increased fire capabilities, more apparatus storage, and more living space for fire personnel in a fire-prone area of San Mateo County.” – Press Release from CAL FIRE