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Edwards Fire and Emergency Services receives new airfield fire station

  • Published
  • By Giancarlo Casem
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, California --  

The Edwards Fire and Emergency Services officially unveiled their airfield fire station during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Dec. 8.

The new fire station is a $44 million, 41,000 sq. ft. facility designed with meeting firefighters’ needs and requirements to provide optimum responsiveness in case of emergency. It will replace the old fire station which has been in service for more than 50 years.

“When I look at this building right here … I don't think of the brick and mortar, I think of the team of people who actually worked so long and so hard, so persistent, and yes, loving, that got us to where we are today,” said James Judkins, 412th Civil Engineer Group director.

The new station provides two separate dedicated bays for structural and aircraft response. Both bays can be accessed quickly from the centrally located living and administration areas within the facility. Additionally, brand new high-speed opening 4-fold bay doors provide rapid response to emergencies.

Another feature specifically designed for firefighters is that the roof, wall and triple-glazed assemblies were all validated to ensure they met target sound levels. This provides firefighters on rest schedules or training classes the necessary lower sound levels from within their facility.

“The new fire station brings a much improved working and living environment and allows for more efficient emergency response,” said Chief Timothy Johnson, Edwards AFB FES Fire Chief. “The new facility is a milestone that many others have been looking for, for years.”

The innovative design of the new fire station netted it an Honor Award for Facility Design with the 2020 Air Force Design Awards Program. I.E. Pacific, Inc., the design organization, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles Disctrict, the design agent, and the 412th CEG, the base engineering organization, were all recognized for their efforts.

Juror comments for the award include; “great modernization project to bring the facility up to date and make it safer for firefighters at Edwards AFB” and “interesting solution placing the primary structure between apparatus bays. Inclusion of an interior courtyard balanced design guide criteria with local climate impacts.”

Almost two years after base officials broke ground at the site of the new airfield fire station, the building is now set to provide world-class services, as per Edwards FES history. That history of service is something Col. Randel Gordon, 412th Test Wing Vice Commander, said he is thankful for.

“The reason I believe that we can take such risk when we fly to go do these test missions in support of national security is because we know we have a team of professionals that's going to be at ‘home plate’ for us if something goes wrong, and they're going to be there for us,” Gordon said. “I can’t tell you how it just brings the stress level down after you land and the fire chief comes up on the radio and says, ‘Hey, I’ve got you…’”

Slide show

Edwards Fire and Emergency Services receives new airfield fire station

  • Published
  • By Giancarlo Casem
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, California --  

The Edwards Fire and Emergency Services officially unveiled their airfield fire station during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Dec. 8.

The new fire station is a $44 million, 41,000 sq. ft. facility designed with meeting firefighters’ needs and requirements to provide optimum responsiveness in case of emergency. It will replace the old fire station which has been in service for more than 50 years.

“When I look at this building right here … I don't think of the brick and mortar, I think of the team of people who actually worked so long and so hard, so persistent, and yes, loving, that got us to where we are today,” said James Judkins, 412th Civil Engineer Group director.

The new station provides two separate dedicated bays for structural and aircraft response. Both bays can be accessed quickly from the centrally located living and administration areas within the facility. Additionally, brand new high-speed opening 4-fold bay doors provide rapid response to emergencies.

Another feature specifically designed for firefighters is that the roof, wall and triple-glazed assemblies were all validated to ensure they met target sound levels. This provides firefighters on rest schedules or training classes the necessary lower sound levels from within their facility.

“The new fire station brings a much improved working and living environment and allows for more efficient emergency response,” said Chief Timothy Johnson, Edwards AFB FES Fire Chief. “The new facility is a milestone that many others have been looking for, for years.”

The innovative design of the new fire station netted it an Honor Award for Facility Design with the 2020 Air Force Design Awards Program. I.E. Pacific, Inc., the design organization, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles Disctrict, the design agent, and the 412th CEG, the base engineering organization, were all recognized for their efforts.

Juror comments for the award include; “great modernization project to bring the facility up to date and make it safer for firefighters at Edwards AFB” and “interesting solution placing the primary structure between apparatus bays. Inclusion of an interior courtyard balanced design guide criteria with local climate impacts.”

Almost two years after base officials broke ground at the site of the new airfield fire station, the building is now set to provide world-class services, as per Edwards FES history. That history of service is something Col. Randel Gordon, 412th Test Wing Vice Commander, said he is thankful for.

“The reason I believe that we can take such risk when we fly to go do these test missions in support of national security is because we know we have a team of professionals that's going to be at ‘home plate’ for us if something goes wrong, and they're going to be there for us,” Gordon said. “I can’t tell you how it just brings the stress level down after you land and the fire chief comes up on the radio and says, ‘Hey, I’ve got you…’”

Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.