Fire station benefits from earthquake 20 years ago

Last Friday marked the 20 year anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake, probably most infamous for causing collapses of a major sections of both the Oakland Bay Bridge and the I-880 freeway. The quake occurred during Game 3 of the World Series, resulting in 57 deaths and over $6 billion in damages. It was the most powerful seismic event to hit the Bay Area since 1906.

The Loma Prieta Earthquake was ultimately the impetus for some major updates to building codes in California that targeted soft story structures - multistory buildings with open first floors typically used as retail space. This type of construction was attributed to a particularly high failure rate in 1989. As a result, years later many cities around the region adopted Community Action Plan for Seismic Safety (CAPSS), a program designed to retrofit existing buildings that are must vulnerable and better withstand a similar event. The City of Berkeley has developed quite an extensive soft story program and integrated it to building codes and fire protection programs.

The NPR show, Forum had an interesting interview with members of the California Emergency Management Agency and a few others on the CAPPS program and related topics. Although they do try to cover a lot of area during the interview (communications, basic preparedness and healthcare in disasters), I found it informative and providing some insight valuable to professionals in the field.

I was particularly interested in finding structures that had been built or retrofitted to be seismically safe and according to LEED standards. There were only a few but the on I found closest to a GreenZoneSolution was the New Hills Fire Station in Berkeley. Placed into service in November 2006, the station received LEED NC certification (v2.1) and is fully equipped with emergency backup power and home to Engine Company 7.

According to a press release from Berkeley city officials, the basis of the LEED certification was primarily focused on:

• Landscaping that conserves water and reduces waste
• Permeable paving reduces stormwater runoff, recharge groundwater aquifers, and allow soil microbes to naturally filter and treat pollutants
• Reduced energy use through the installation of extra insulation, high-performance windows, and high-efficiency lighting, appliances, and mechanical systems
• Diversion of more than 75% construction waste from the landfill

Photos I could find were limited, but at a glance the New Hills Station certainly appears to be a modern design. I wish I could provide more information on the function, layout and aesthetic value but at this point it does seem safe to say it's a Renewable, Reliable and Remarkable way to remember a tragedy 20 years ago.