Southport Fire Headquarters
1011 N Howe St, Southport, NC
“Training exercises offered in and around the tower include: repelling, ladder work, stair maneuvers, rope work, and a FDC station with sprinkler heads. Training aids in the apparatus room include high line rope and confined space extraction. ”
Southport Fire Headquarters is located in the coastal village of Southport, NC; a unique place with historic homes and buildings. It is a place for easy living, well suited for pedestrians, and the abundance of Live Oak trees offer cool shade and relief from the bright and hot summer sun. Tourists have found Southport and frequent it throughout the year.
The apparatus bays are housed in a large red brick mass with bi-fold doors for a traditional firehouse look. The adjoining offices/ living areas are two-story with a wraparound veranda for a strong southern historic image. The tower at the juncture serves as a required exit for the upper level and also includes a number of training aids. A freestanding structure to house the antique truck is placed on the corner of the site to be visible for passersby. Landscaping on the site is lush with native plants and creates a very pleasant exterior environment.
Located in a hurricane prone community the building also functions as an emergency center. The second floor training room is outfitted to double as the local emergency operations center in the event of a disaster. The kitchen is commercial grade for preparation of hot meals for citizens as needed. Toilets with showers for the public are also included as part of the emergency plan.
The tower, which doubles as a required second floor exit and as a training tower, was an important component of the design. This tower allows training onsite without having to travel to the county facility, a considerable distance away. Training exercises offered in and around the tower include: repelling, ladder work, stair maneuvers, rope work, and a FDC station with sprinkler heads. Training aids in the apparatus room include high line rope and confined space extraction. Having training aids on site offers a real benefit in flexibility of use.
The fire station has been well received and is a source of local pride. Upon completion of the new Southport Fire Station the department finally has a station to house all their equipment, house and train a full time staff, and respond to any disaster. It is an investment that will serve the city of Southport for many years