Casper city leaders are preparing to replace the aging Fire‑EMS Department Station 1, a 1976 building that serves as the department’s busiest central hub. According to Oil City News, architectural and engineering designs for the new station are about 90% complete, and the city is set to advance the project into construction.
The replacement project was funded through Natrona County’s specific‑purpose sales tax, approved by voters in 2024 and running through July 1 of this year. Of the $18.2 million raised for four local projects, $4.4 million has been earmarked for the first phase of the fire station replacement.
Deputy Chief Jason Speiser said officials hope to finalize construction documents around January and solicit contractor bids by early spring, targeting an 18‑month construction timeline once work begins. The new facility will be built on an empty lot at Spruce and Midwest streets in the Old Yellowstone District, consolidating the department’s administrative offices, the Community Risk Reduction Division, and operational quarters under one roof.
Interim Fire Chief Devin Garvin highlighted several deficiencies in the current station that the new design will address. The existing building was originally designed for a single‑gender workforce, leaving female firefighters without private changing areas and limited bathroom facilities. All firefighters face cramped living quarters, with no dedicated conference or classroom space, forcing training to occur around a kitchen table. Additionally, the living quarters are situated far from the truck bay, slowing response times during night calls.
Operational challenges also include three narrow apparatus bays that cannot comfortably accommodate modern fire engines and ladder trucks, recurring sewer backups, sump‑pump odors, and the lack of a fire alarm or sprinkler system—an irony noted by Chief Garvin. The new station will feature individual firefighter bedrooms, modern fire‑safety systems, dedicated PPE storage, decontamination areas, an internal stair tower for rappelling and ladder training, conference facilities, and a room for self‑contained breathing apparatus air compressors.
Public‑safety enhancements will include a dedicated emergency shelter room with direct dispatch access and a safe‑haven infant drop‑off area. “We’re really excited for this,” Garvin said, adding that the project will be a significant improvement for both the department and the community.
What’s next: The city plans to begin construction in spring 2027 after the bidding process is completed earlier in the year. Residents can expect the new Station 1 to become operational roughly 18 months after groundbreaking, providing modern facilities that support faster response times and better working conditions for Casper’s firefighters.
Sources: oilcity.news
