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Ramsey reviews design for consolidated emergency services complex with six apparatus bays
Summary
Architects presented a revised design for a combined emergency-response facility that would house fire, rescue and OEM functions, showing six pull-through apparatus bays (capacity for roughly 12 vehicles), a second-floor multipurpose/EOC space, diesel-exhaust capture and an 18–20 month construction estimate after bidding.
Designers from Neta Architects presented the Borough of Ramsey on Feb. 11 with revised plans for a new emergency services building to house fire, rescue and the Office of Emergency Management.
Matthew Neta, project manager, described a brick-veneer building with six pull-through apparatus bays intended to hold two vehicles per bay (roughly 12 vehicle capacity) and a separate display bay for the borough's antique apparatus. "There are six front and rear apparatus bay entrances," Neta said, describing turnout/decontamination/extractor systems, a watch room with direct sightlines into the bays, and vehicle-exhaust capture to reduce indoor diesel emissions.
The building program includes locker/turnout spaces, a decon zone, dayroom and administrative offices on the first floor; a second-floor multipurpose public room with commercial-kitchen support and a secure Emergency Operations Center/radio communications suite; and an elevator and future-ready structural provisions for potential expansion (bunk rooms or paid staffing) above the penthouse mechanical area. Designers said the third floor shown in earlier iterations was removed to reduce the building by about 7,000 square feet.
Technical features discussed in the Q&A included a diesel-exhaust capture system that magnetically connects to truck exhausts in the bays, an oil-grease interceptor on the site, a dedicated on-site generator for full backup power, ADA restrooms and energy-efficient HVAC. The architects estimated rear parking in the 90'to'100-space range and said the site plan retains or slightly improves current parking counts; students will not be allowed to park in the facility lot, designers said.
Construction timing and next steps: the team expects to go to public bid in the first quarter after design completion and estimated construction at roughly 18 to 20 months. Designers emphasized durability and low life-cycle maintenance (metal roof with long lifespan; mechanicals sized for efficiency) and said they will provide plan packets and additional renderings to council and staff.
The council and residents asked detailed operational questions (eg, bay door type and cycle time, noise, sightlines to the high school, parking access, how diesel-capture connects to apparatus, and whether solar panels are feasible given roof warranty concerns). The team said many of those details will be refined in construction documents and during the bidding process.
The presentation was informational; no approvals were sought at the Feb. 11 meeting. The borough indicated it will circulate project documents and move to bidding once final design and permitting are complete.
