Crook County Fire and Rescue set to begin $4.36 million seismic upgrade, remodeling of main fire station in Prineville

(Update: Adding cost of project, seismic work)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Crook County Fire and Rescue announced Wednesday it will be upgrading and remodeling the main station in Prineville in coming months.

This project was made possible by a Seismic Rehabilitation Grant from the state of Oregon and financing through the Special Public Works Fund, also through Business Oregon. 

Officials said this is the first major upgrade to the main station since it was last remodeled in 2006.

The project cost is $4.36 million, including about $2.49 million for the seismic rehabilitation.

The project will include individual sleeping quarters for crews, upgraded bathroom facilities, and an update to the kitchen.  It also will include health and wellness upgrades, allowing turnouts to be stored separately from the apparatus bay, keeping them separated from the diesel exhaust of the fire engines and ambulances. 

A separate equipment cleaning room will also be added, allowing for the decontamination of equipment after a fire in a more appropriate location. 

The exterior of the station will also look different in the end, with siding and roof upgrades that will help strengthen the station and make it more resilient during a natural disaster. 

Construction is slated to begin the end of April, and is scheduled to be completed by November 1st of this year. In the meantime, the fire district will be operating out of a temporary facility within the city limits, and 24-hour service will be maintained throughout the duration of the project.  The district said it does not anticipate any interruption in service to the community during this time. 

The district’s general business line, 541-447-5011, will still be functioning and in-person service can be made at the district’s annex building located at 205 NE 4th Street in Prineville.  For community members needing to mail items to the district, the mailing address will remain the same at 500 NE Belknap Street, Prineville, Oregon.  For questions, please contact Fire Chief Matt Smith, or Division Chief Russell Deboodt.

The district would like to thank Business Oregon for their help and guidance through this process, as well as our local partners, the City of Prineville and Crook County for their support for this project.