Mayor Daley Cuts Ribbon on Engine Company 70 Firehouse

Mayor Richard M. Daley today cut the ribbon on the new Engine Company 70 firehouse, a new facility that will provide the latest in firefighting technology and communication for residents in the neighborhoods of Edgewater, Rogers Park and Andersonville.

The new $9.3 million firehouse, located at 6030 North Clark Street, was built by the Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC) and includes a modern design to accommodate better living, remote training and an office workspace. The one-story, 16,000-square-foot facility will replace the old Engine Company 70 firehouse, located at 1545 West Rosemont Avenue.

As our City grows and changes, one thing remains the same — our commitment to revitalizing our neighborhoods, Mayor Daley said. Firehouses like this one serve as valuable resources for a community and contribute greatly to the safety and quality of life of its residents. These facilities also meet the needs of a diverse fire department, one that has men and women putting their lives at risk for Chicagoans every day.

Joining Mayor Daley at the Engine Company 70 ribbon cutting were 40th Ward Alderman Patrick OConnor, Fire Commissioner John Brooks, PBC Executive Director Erin Lavin Cabonargi and other public and elected officials.

“The new home of Engine Company 70 is equipped with the latest technology and accommodations for our firefighters and paramedics, improving our quality of service to every community of the city,” Fire Commissioner John W. Brooks said. “It is also designed to serve as a district training center to allow fire companies to stay closer to their service communities while receiving the latest instruction on fire suppression and rescue. It is a modern, environmentally friendly facility that we can all be proud of.

The new Engine Company 70 is also a green firehouse, designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Councils guidelines for a Leadership in Energy and Environment Design or LEED silver rating.

The new firehouse includes solar panels, an exhaust heat recovery system and drought-tolerant landscaping. In addition, recycled materials were used where possible, including the benches in the locker rooms, which are made of recycled wood.

The Public Building Commission of Chicago has long been committed to incorporating the most up-to-date elements of sustainable design into every public facility we build, PBC Executive Director Erin Lavin Cabonargi said. Both the design of the Engine Company 70 firehouse and the construction of the firehouse incorporated environmental concerns. In fact, we share the Citys commitment to incorporating green building concepts into every public facility that we build.

The new Engine Company 70 firehouse also features:

• A satellite training facility that allows for teleconferencing and remote instruction
• An outdoor training pad that provides ample space for staffs from Engine Company 70 and other area fire companies to train in various scenarios
• A large apparatus bay capable of housing a variety of rescue vehicles
• A circular driveway that allows vehicles to exit and to return more quickly and more safely
• A fully-equipped physical training room for firehouse personnel
• Locker rooms and bathroom facilities to accommodate the needs of both male and female firefighters and paramedics.

The facility is the seventh to be opened under Mayor Daleys Neighborhoods Alive 21 program, which includes firehouses and police stations. Nearly 20 firehouses and police stations will be replaced under this ambitious program.