USACE begins conversion of a World War II-era building into modern fire station for Moldova resident

By Carol E. Davis (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District)May 10, 2010

Title
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District recently began renovating a World War II-era converted fire station in Comrat, Moldova. The project seeks to update all living and sleeping accomodations, modernize the communication room, and add five... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Title
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District recently began renovating a World War II-era converted fire station in Comrat, Moldova. The EOC and fire station will provide resue and emergency operation services for roughly 35,000 people in 12 surr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Title
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District recently began renovating a World War II-era converted fire station in Comrat, Moldova. When complete in late 2010, the facility will also serve as the emergency headquarters for capital, Chisinau, loc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

COMRAT, Moldova Aca,!" Residents of Comrat and the 12 villages that surround the city will by the end of 2010 have a newly renovated regional fire and rescue station.

The nearly $400,000 project, funded by the U.S. European CommandAca,!a,,cs humanitarian assistance program and overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District, will refurbish a World War II-era fire station that was itself converted from an old power station to allow the Gagauzia region of southern Moldova to better respond to emergencies.

Aca,!A"The existing facility was added on and transformed without any engineering construction supervisor or standards, and some areas in the station were even dangerous,Aca,!A? said Stepan Homa, chief architect with Dolmen, SRL, in Chisinau, contracted to design the new facility. Aca,!A"But after renovations, walls and ceiling will be reinforced and the area will be safe.Aca,!A?

Attempts to make the power station into a fire station included installing rolling doors and fire truck garages, but the height only allowed the fire trucks to partially pull into the bay.

Aca,!A"Early this year we received one [fire truck], but we didnAca,!a,,ct have the space technically adequate to house it,Aca,!A? said Homa. Aca,!A"The solution was to build an extension to the left of the existing structure for the laddered truck.Aca,!A?

By updating nearly every surface in the 60-plus-year-old facility, replacing the plumbing, modernizing the electrical system and adding 3,300 square feet to the existing 7,400-square-foot working and living space, the fire station will better serve the 35,000 residents of the region.

So far, five garages have been demolished, the foundation has been reinforced and new garages have been added to provide room for each truck.

Future plans include demolishing an old brick building to make way for a training tower, classrooms and an obstacle course. In the tower, firefighters and rescue workers can receive realistic live-fire and rescue training required for each regional fire station.

Aca,!A"The reconstruction of the facility will give us more opportunities and better facilities to improve our professional skill levels,Aca,!A? said Maj. Ivan Peev, commanding officer with the Comrat Fire and Rescue Detachment. Aca,!A"The existing station didnAca,!a,,ct even give us a basic training facilities that a fire and rescue station is required to have.Aca,!A?

Additionally, the second floor of the fire station will house an emergency operation center that will serve as the emergency headquarters for the region and can be used if a natural or man-made disaster renders the capital city Chisinau, located 64 miles north, incapacitated or inaccessible.

Besides the operational upgrades, there are housing upgrades as well.

Currently, only six firefighters can eat in the tiny fire house kitchen at once, even though 14 personnel are on duty in a given 24-hour shift. Also, the small sleeping quarters do not afford adequate space for the bunks required, meaning bunks have been squeezed in between walls and plumbing pipes in an effort to ensure each duty firefighter has a place to sleep. The renovations will provide firefighters an extended kitchen and a larger bunk room with modern showers and toilet facilities.

Aca,!A"Bringing all of the working and living conditions up to a higher standard will improve the effectiveness and morale of the staff on duty,Aca,!A? said Homa. Aca,!A"This includes all of the modern utilities like electricity, hot water, heating and gas. Firefighters on duty now are showering in the dark and because of the boiler; itAca,!a,,cs often with cold water.Aca,!A?

In addition to the fire station, the Europe District is currently overseeing 28 other humanitarian assistance projects in Europe, either partially or fully funded by EUCOM. Partial funding for this project comes from the Moldovan government.

Aca,!A"Moldova isnAca,!a,,ct a very rich country and we are very thankful for the assistance from the American government, but we are equally proud of the fact that we contributed 10 percent of the funds to this project,Aca,!A? said Dorin Trestianu, with the U.S. Embassy ChisinauAca,!a,,cs Office of Defense Cooperation. Aca,!A"It makes us feel more vested in the project and gives us a real sense of ownership.Aca,!A?

According to David Colberg, project manager with Europe District, EUCOMAca,!a,,cs HA program has expanded over the past year from six project awards in fiscal year 2009 to 20 projects in fiscal year 2010. HA projects directly support EUCOMAca,!a,,cs strategic mission, part of a whole government approach that builds partnerships to enhance security, regional stability, and support global initiatives.

Aca,!A"As the mission expands so will the districtAca,!a,,cs opportunity to use our expertise to execute these critical projects,Aca,!A? said Colberg. Aca,!A"Additionally, projects like the fire station give the district an opportunity to improve the quality of life for people who really need the assistance, and thatAca,!a,,cs always a good thing.Aca,!A?

Related Links:

U.S. Embassy Chisinau

USACE News

U.S. European Command

Europe District Photos

USACE Europe District

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Europe District Videos