New NNSA Fire Stations Earn LEED Gold Certification
They were dedicated at the National Nuclear Security Administration's Nevada National Security Site last fall. Because the site's firefighting units assist local agencies, they're a benefit to the community at large.
Two near fire stations built at the National Nuclear Security Administration's Nevada National Security Site near Mercury, Nev., have earned Leadership and Energy in Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification, the agency announced March 8. This is an added accolade for the two stations, which were completed on schedule for about $35 million -- below their combined $42 million budget.
They replaced existing stations that had been in use for more than 40 years and were built strictly to house firefighters. The new stations will support missions that were consolidated in 1996 and include structural and wildland firefighting, hazardous materials operations, paramedic-level emergency medical services, and technical rescue operations. Eight Type-6 wildland engines, four structural fire engines, two heavy rescue trucks, three light-duty incident command vehicles, one large mobile incident command post vehicle, three fire marshal vehicles, five paramedic ambulances, 10 special-purpose all-terrain vehicles, and five hazmat wildland, fire supply, and breathing-air trailers are on site.
Because the site's firefighting units assist local agencies, they're a benefit to the community at large.
"The average cost of a fire engine today has the potential to exceed $300,000," NNSS Fire Chief Chuck Fauerbach said when the buildings were dedicated in October 2010."We've had a significant number of vehicles sitting outside in non-climate-controlled areas. That causes them to age prematurely."
NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs Don Cook praised the LEED certification. "As we invest in the future of the nuclear security enterprise that will be required to implement the president's national security agenda, we are committed to making sure we improve the way we do business. By ensuring these two fire stations are LEED Gold Certified, we are demonstrating our commitment to being good stewards of tax dollars and promoting design and construction practices that reduce the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improve occupant health and well-being," he said.