[E-updates] Community invited to open house at Fire Station 2 and Percent for Art Dedication

[Lisa Patterson]

NEWS RELEASE	City of Lawrence, Kansas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 13, 2002
CONTACT:  JIM MCSWAIN, CHIEF
LAWRENCE/DOUGLAS COUNTY FIRE AND MEDICAL
(785) 832-7600

Community invited to open house at Fire Station 2 and Percent for Art
Dedication

(Lawrence, Ks) - The Lawrence/Douglas County Fire and Medical Department
is hosting an open house at their new station on Sunday, September 22,
from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  The open house for the station located at 2128
Harper Street, will feature tours of the station, vehicle and equipment
displays, and opportunities to meet firefighters and staff.  

Station #2 was planned and built with a focus on future growth.  As the
community expands, the relocation of a fire-medical station is an
efficient and effective method to maintain response times of four to
five minutes.  The Station #2 relocation from 1941 Haskell to 2128
Harper is right on track with those times.  The relocation of a station
is also a responsible way to manage a department's resources since it is
less costly to relocate a station than it is to build and staff a new
station.

The relocation of Station #2 allows the adjustment of service that was
outlined by the strategic plan prepared in the early 1990's.  The
relocation of Station #2 is the first phase of a long-range project that
will relocate a second station, Fire-Medical Station #4 and build an
additional station.  The end result will be better protection for the
City of Lawrence and Douglas County.

The future growth of the community also may mean a necessary growth in
the number of fire trucks or ambulances housed at one station.  An
increase in equipment at station requires an increase in staffing.  At
the relocated Station #2, room has been allotted for the possible
addition of staff.  Unlike the older stations where firefighters are
filling stations to capacity without room to grown, future growth at the
new station would occur in the planned spaces.

The Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical Department used sprinkler
systems and an automated fire detection system at the relocated station.

The station at 2128 Harper is the first station constructed since 1982.
Station #2 on Harper Street features a one-story, 11,500 square foot
building with six bays and living and sleeping areas for three, twelve
person shifts.

Percent for Art Dedication
In conjunction with the Lawrence/Douglas County Fire and Medical
Department's Station #2 open house, the Lawrence Arts Commission will
dedicate "Halcyon" a "Percent for Art" project.  Designed by Rockhill
and Associates, the piece represents the protection the firefighters
provide the community.  The artist will attend the open house to talk
with visitor and answer questions.

MEDIA ADVISORY	City of Lawrence, Kansas

CONTACT:  LISA PATTERSON, COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
(785) 832-3406

September 13, 2002

* MEDIA ADVISORY: Fire Station #2 to host open house  

WHAT: Media tour of Fire Station #2 and viewing of percent for art
sculpture

WHO: Lawrence Douglas County Fire and Medical Department and a
representative from the Lawrence Arts Commission will be on hand to
provide tours and answer questions

WHEN: 2:30p.m. Wednesday, September 18

WHERE: Fire Station #2, 2128 Harper Street

INTERVIEWS: Chief Jim McSwain will be available from 2:30 to 3:30.

We look forward to seeing you on at the Fire Station on Wednesday.

--END--








_____________________________
Lisa K. Patterson
Communications Coordinator
City of Lawrence
PO Box 708
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 832-3406
fax (785) 832-3405
lpatterson@ci.lawrence.ks.us
http://www.lawrenceks.org