Project Description
In 2008 the Town of Nantucket requested a study to evaluate its public safety services—police and fire. Mitchell Associates Architects (MAA) evaluated the existing fire service facilities and Kaestle Boos Associates (KBA) evaluated the police facilities. MAA’s work included carrying out a detailed firematic program, including space use analysis and room diagrams.
The Nantucket Fire Department makes 4,600 calls per year, 3200 of which are emergency response. The existing facilities on Pleasant Street were sub-par and were not meeting the needs of the community. Deficiencies in the existing building included:
- The existing apparatus bay was too small.
- There was inadequate storage rooms for turnout gear, supplies, hose, equipment, or contaminated items.
- There was no proper decontamination of laundry.
- The facility did not meet mandatory standards for handling blood borne pathogens.
- None of the bathrooms were ADA compliant.
- The current kitchen did not meet fire and health codes.
- There were no sprinkler or security systems.
The study determined that the existing facilities were functionally obsolete and the town committee decided that the most cost-effective solution would be to construct new facilities – the Nantucket Public Facility Complex. Phase I addressed police needs and Phase II is addressing fire needs with a new fire headquarters and six drive-through bays.