Derry Fire Department Central Station Headquarters

The Town of Derry’s new Central Station Headquarters was developed to meet the evolving demands of a modern emergency services department. The former headquarters had exceeded its useful life and no longer provided a safe, efficient workplace for firefighters, creating an opportunity to improve response coverage and reimagine how the department serves the community.

Programming began in 2021, focusing on operational requirements, future growth, and service goals. The completed headquarters serves as the department’s primary hub for emergency response, administration, training, communications, and firefighter support services.

At the heart of the building are five double-deep, drive-through apparatus bays supporting rapid deployment and efficient apparatus movement. Surrounding these bays is a carefully organized network of spaces that allows personnel to move efficiently between response, training, administrative, and living areas. Administrative offices, dispatch operations, firefighter accommodations, and support spaces create a highly functional environment for emergency incidents and daily operations.

Firefighter health and safety remained a central design priority throughout the project. The station incorporates a comprehensive decontamination, laundry, and hot-zone shower suite with clear separation between hot and cold zones, supporting contamination-control practices and reducing exposure to harmful contaminants. An SCBA fill station supports operational readiness while acoustically isolating compressor equipment on the mezzanine level. Designed in accordance with applicable NFPA and ADA standards, the facility provides a safe, accessible, and functional environment for personnel and visitors alike.

A dedicated training tower, complete with bailout windows and direct access to the mezzanine level, supports hands-on training exercises, while flexible classroom and meeting spaces accommodate ongoing instruction, coordination, and professional development. The primary training room seats up to 34 participants and includes storage for training materials, props, tables, and chairs.

Beyond training, the station incorporates features that strengthen daily operations and community service. A walk-in medical care space adjacent to the public lobby provides access to emergency medical services, while a dedicated EMS workroom with secure storage and a mechanic’s workshop located directly off the apparatus bay support day-to-day operations. The first floor also includes apparatus support facilities, 852 square feet of firematic storage, and strategically located utility and storage spaces. Above, the mezzanine houses additional training components, IT and data infrastructure, storage areas, and a sound-isolated compressor room. A fire pole provides a direct connection between the second-floor living quarters and the first-floor warm zone, placing personnel just 16 feet from the apparatus floor when responding to emergencies.

The headquarters also serves as the department’s administrative and communications center. An extensive first-floor administrative suite, comprising 16 offices and support rooms, provides space for both fire and EMS leadership, supporting collaboration and decision-making. On the second floor, a secure 1,500-square-foot dispatch facility accommodates four dispatch positions, a director’s office, staff accommodations, communications storage, and radio repair functions. Bringing these services together strengthens coordination during daily operations and major incidents.

The second floor also includes ten private bunk rooms, offices for command staff, and thoughtfully designed living areas that support firefighter wellness and recovery. A kitchen and dayroom serve as gathering spaces for crews, while a reports room, pantry, television room, and rooftop dining porch contribute to a comfortable and supportive station environment.

Sustainability and energy performance were key project goals. High-efficiency HVAC systems and heat-recovery ventilation help reduce energy consumption while maintaining occupant comfort year-round. A highly insulated building envelope enhances performance, with exterior wall assemblies achieving R-values of 23.5 in apparatus bay areas and 28.8 in occupied spaces. Roof assemblies reach R-38 above the apparatus bays and R-43 above living areas, contributing to long-term operational efficiency and reduced utility costs.

A significant challenge emerged below grade. Extensive rock encountered across the site threatened the schedule, prompting the development of an early site-preparation package that advanced rock removal, mass excavation, and foundation work before completion of the full construction document package. This phased approach allowed foundation construction to proceed ahead of winter conditions, preserving the schedule and supporting successful delivery.

Today, the Derry Fire Department Central Station Headquarters provides the department with a purpose-built facility that strengthens emergency response capabilities, supports firefighter health and wellness, enhances training and communications functions, and improves operational efficiency. More than a replacement station, it represents a significant investment in public safety, providing firefighters, EMS personnel, and dispatch staff with the tools, resources, and environment needed to effectively serve a growing community.