The Boston Herald recently reported on the deteriorating conditions at a number of firehouses in Massachusetts. In the report, firefighters complained that firehouses have received little attention and been neglected by cities and towns.
In response to the report, Mayor DeMaria highlighted investments that have been made through the City of Everett’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan. The city has invested $6 million in the past two years into firehouses. Renovating and restoring fire stations has been an integral part of Mayor DeMaria’s Capital Improvement Plan, and the process is well underway.
Mayor DeMaria stated, “Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day, and I am proud of our commitment to invest in the buildings and infrastructure. It is a priority of mine to ensure that all our public safety personnel stay safe and enhance our firefighting capabilities throughout the city.”
The city recently re-opened Everett’s Hancock Fire Station after a $3.5 million renovation. The building is now a well-equipped and modernized facility for first responders. The renovation project included infrastructure improvements, upgrading the MEP systems (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing), improving health and safety concerns, updating training classrooms, and renovating living quarters.
Fire Chief Tony Carli stated, “Mayor DeMaria has always made sure the members of the department have the equipment needed to do our jobs, this includes updating our firehouses.”
The renovation and restoration of Hancock Fire Station was the first capital improvement of many firehouses that are planned in Everett. Most recently, the city has begun a $2 million renovation to Central Station and just this month appropriated an additional $500,000 for additional work.
Phase 1 of the Central Station renovation, a roof replacement, is in construction right now. The project will also include new windows throughout, raising the garage bay doors on Broadway to accommodate new apparatus, upgrading the MEP systems (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) and updating the crew areas and office space on the second floor.
In addition to the work noted above, the city has been upgrading all facilities to meet the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) by installing handicap accessible bathrooms and offices.