Seattle has a brand new “green” fire station that is ranked the best in the Washington State in environmental efficiency measures.

Fire Station 20 meets the 2015 energy reduction guidelines of the Architecture 2030 challenge, and its materials and features will earn enough points for LEED Platinum certification.

The Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED), is the U.S. Green Building Council’s certification program that recognizing leading building strategies. The new station is not the first in the Washington to have platinum status -- Maple Street Fire Station in Issaquah has that status – but it is now considered the “most sustainable” fire station in the state.

Last Saturday, the Ballard News-Tribune joined the Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Fire Fighters Union, Local 27, and community members at the viewing of the Fire Station 20 (2800 15th Ave. W.).

“Since the Fire Facilities and Emergency Response Levy Program began, transparency, accountability and outreach to keep the public informed of progress were all key goals. The City holds public open houses during the design process, to give the community the opportunity to see the projects and comment before construction starts.” said Kyle Moore, Public Information Officer for Seattle Fire Department.

The new station will house four firefighters to operate Engine 20 new. There is also an extra apparatus bay, where an EMS could be docked if it’s needed in the future.

“Fire Station 20 houses an engine company that has a crew of four firefighters on duty per shift. This is a typical size crew for engine and ladder companies in Seattle. Because of the multiple shifts, 16 firefighters will call Fire Station 20 home, but only four will be on duty at a time. The station has been built to accommodate a two-person medic crew, should responses warrant that in the future,” stated SFD.

According to SFD, “with Fire Station 20, the City capitalized on the public location of the site and the myriad of sustainable strategies employed to target LEED Platinum as an opportunity to engage and educate local
residents about sustainable issues and the City’s stewardship on that front.”

Thanks to the Fire Facilities and Emergency Response Levy -- approved by voters in 2003 -- Neighborhood fire stations are being upgraded renovated, upgraded or replaced throughout the Seattle. The Fire Station 20 is one of 32 funded by the levy, and Ballard Fire station 18 is also undergoing construction. Construction began in January 2015 and is expected to be complete in December 2015. The crew is now operating out of a temporary location at 4733 Shilshole Ave. NW.