How we got here
Fire Station 5 first opened in 1983 and is located just west of the intersection of Park Boulevard and Preston Road.
The $12 million renovation of the building was supported by the 2021 bond referendum, which designated $9 million towards the project originally, according to city documents.
The renovation increased the building from 7,200 to 14,000 square feet, allowing for additional space to house emergency vehicles and equipment, according to a news release from the city.
Additionally, the station’s living area has been renovated with additional beds, which are individual rooms that can be synced to the fire department’s dispatch assignment system.
Zooming out
Plano City Council recently approved a contract at its Sept. 16 meeting with the Plano Firefighters’ Association that will allow firefighters to work 24 hours on duty followed by 72 hours off—a shift from the current 24 hours on, 48 hours off schedule.
Plano Fire-Rescue is the first all-paid fire department in Texas to adopt the “24/72” shift schedule.
Once fully implemented, the new schedule will reduce firefighters’ average work week from 56 hours to 42 hours.
What they’re saying
Plano Fire Chief Chris Biggerstaff said adding space for hazmat team equipment storage was one reason the station was put on the 2021 bond referendum.
“It’s hard to respond as a team when you’re scattered all over the city,” Biggerstaff said. “When you look at it, it’s basically a brand new station.”
Biggerstaff said the department and city officials are working to take care of firefighters “from every angle.” The individual rest areas aim to improve sleep deprivation effects.
“[If a] call comes in tonight for Engine Five and Med Five, Truck 5 doesn’t get woken up, so that’s a game changer whenever you’re trying to get as much rest as you possibly can,” Biggerstaff said. “When you see the call volume increasing all the time, ... that’s a big deal.”
The renovations also included adding a storm shelter and new apparatus bay, allowing the department to store vehicles in a garage bay, according to the release.
