Making the Case – Tubac Fire District

To begin the discussion on the need to replace Station #1, the information on this page was presented at public Tubac Fire Board meetings this past year. The timeline includes a general introduction to the information as well as the presentations and other documents provided to our fire board.

September, 2019 Tubac Fire District monthly fire board meeting

Station #1 Board Memo – This staff memo presents a general overview of the history of Station #1 and staff’s comments regarding the current status of the structure. Staff requested that the fire board begin discussions regarding the need to replace the fire station.

Station #1 County and FM Assessment – The Santa Cruz County Building Inspector and the TFD Fire Marshal met in the Fall, 2019, to tour Station #1 and develop a general assessment of building deficiencies. This information was presented to the Tubac Fire District Governing Board at the September, 2019 monthly fire board meeting.

NFPA Research: Renovation Needs of the US Fire Service – The National Fire Protection Association published a research study in July, 2019, outlining the needs and challenges many fire departments face renovating old fire stations.

Minutes from the September, 2019 fire board meeting

Gabe Buldra, from James Vincent Group (the District’s Finance Consultant) presented the Board with general information compiled by Stifel, Nicolaus & Company regarding potential financing options available for the District to consider for funding a new fire station. Option #1 consists of lease purchase for a 15-year term and Option #2 would involve utilization of remaining / available bond capacity. This information is preliminary only.

JVG_Stifel information on Lease Purchase financing

JVG_Stifel information on bond financing

October, 2019 Tubac Fire District monthly fire board meeting

Minutes from October, 2019 fire board meeting – ongoing discussion regarding Station #1

Nov – 19 Nogales International article – portions of this article relate to the September, 2019 staff presentation and board discussion.

Tubac Villager article – Oct 19 Replacement of Station #1.

December, 2019 Tubac Fire District monthly fire board meeting

Station #1 Board Memo – This staff memo references the September, 2019 board materials and introduces WSM Architects (https://www.wsmarch.com/public-safety), an architectural firm retained by Chief Horvath to conduct a study and needs assessment of the current fire station.

Tubac Fire District Needs Assessment Study – Paul Mickelberg with WSM Architects presented this needs assessment to the Fire Board. The needs assessment includes photos and a list of deficiencies found in the current structure as well as recommendations for space needs to adequately meet the current needs for Station #1 as a fire station and an administrative building.

Tubac Fire Program 19-09-24 – WSM Architects interviewed staff to develop a program statement. This program statement addresses the space requirements needed to adequately meet the fire station and administration needs. The current fire station/administration building is 4,600 square feet. According to the program statement created by WSM Architects, the approximate square footage required to support current District need is 8,700 for the fire station and 5,200 for the administration offices and public meeting space. For comparison purposes, here are the square footage estimates for the other Tubac Fire District stations:

Station #2

Station #2 – This station is located on the frontage road west of I-19 and south of the Peck Canyon exit. The square footage of the station is 6,906 and was built in 1996 on .8 acres. The station houses a fire/EMS crew of 2 personnel, the Operations Deputy Chief, and is frequently used for public programs and monthly District fire board meetings. Station 2 responds to many of the Rio Rico schools and assists areas to the south when requested by Rio Rico Fire District. Equipment stored at this station includes District fire and EMS response vehicles and Santa Cruz County Hazmat Response equipment.

Station #2 6906 sqft

Station #3

Station #3 - is located on the east side of I-19 on Camino Josephina. The square footage of the station is 9,187 and was built in 2011 for a cost of $3.8 million as a result of a voter-approved bond. Two personnel are located at Station #3, providing advanced life support (paramedic) emergency medical and fire response. Staffing at this station is occasionally reduced to one Firefighter/EMT to accommodate staffing needs at other TFD stations. Station #3 personnel respond to a vast residential area susceptible to brush fires. The station houses a medical helicopter crew (LifeNet) to assist with emergent transports to hospital facilities in Santa Cruz and Pima Counties. LifeNet reimburses the Fire District annually for use of Station 3.

Station #3 = 9,187 sqft

Station #4

Station #4 - Station 4 is located on the east side of I-19 on Ruta Camaron, in a predominantly residential area. The square footage of the station is 9,214 and was built in 2010 for a cost of $3.9 million as a result of a voter-approved bond. Two personnel are located at Station #4, providing advanced life support (paramedic) emergency medical and fire response. Station #4 personnel respond to elementary schools and assist Rio Rico Fire District with emergency calls just south of the station’s coverage area.