Council gets update on fire station

FORT MADISON – The Fort Madison City Council got an update on the progress of the new Fort Madison Fire Station.
The new station is scheduled to be completed in 2027 with work potentially starting in November of this year.
The new 18,500 square foot building is carrying a construction estimate of $7.8 million. The building was originally planned as a 26,000 square foot facility to accommodate some ambulances and EMS equipment, but that project was scaled back when the Lee County EMS ambulance bay became reality on the city’s west side.
“This is really something the city could be proud of,” said firefighter Jon Lange.
“The new station is 18,512 square feet and is designed to maximize efficiency and minimize unnecessary costs. This reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility, firefighter health, and operational efficiency.”
Incoming fire chief Chad Hannum said the station design was reduced as much as possible to minimize the financial burden, while still meeting both current and future needs and ensures a functional, safe, and well-designed facility for the long term.
Lange, who Hannum said has been part of the new fire station design for the past five years, said the existing fire station has critical space limitations, health and safety concerns, and operational inefficiencies.
“The new facility will provide adequate space for modern firefighting equipment and personnel and it will address health and safety concerns including decon (decontamination) areas and improved air quality,” he said.
“It will also improve our operational readiness ensuring a faster and more effective response to emergencies. Investing in this project means better service, better working conditions, and improved public safety.”

Mayor Matt Mohrfeld said he’s seen all the working concepts of the building and said the most recent plans are the best he’s seen.
“Being conscientious of the taxpayers’ money and the efficiency of the building, as they skinned it down and kept going back to the drawing board, in my opinion, this is the nicest layout,” he said.
“I thought the first one didn't flow at all and this one really flows nicely.”
Hannum said the new building will also enhance training with a training tower that will double as a hose tower, as well as confined space tubes. He said the department regularly gets calls from industry for confined space work.
The new facility will also have five bays to hold the department’s equipment, including the rescue boat and pickup truck. Lange said that will help the department respond even quicker to river rescues because they won’t have to carry equipment out to the boat outside. He said that will also help reduce wear and tear on the boat. The facility will have living and kitchen quarters, a weight room, overnight rooms, decontamination areas, and administrative and meeting areas.
The tower will allow Fort Madison to continue to train for high angle and low angle rope rescues.
“All 16 of us are trained in the aspect. That tower will give us the ability to train year-round. We can do it inside even when we have inclement weather. That's a critical skill that if you don't use it, you lose it.”
Hannum said they have scoured agencies for grants to help offset the costs, but said there aren’t a lot of other resources out there. City Manager Laura Legios said the city has spoken with Congresswoman Marianette Miller-Meeks’ staff about possible funding through appropriation.
The city is hoping to bid the project in September and break ground in November.