Fire Station 21 Remodel Project

Improving Fairfax’s fire station to support safety, modernization, and our three-person fire engine crews

Project Overview

Fire Station 21, located at 10 Park Road, has served Fairfax since 1974. To meet modern fire service standards and support the Ross Valley Fire Department’s transition to three-person engine staffing, the Town is completing a major remodel of the station’s second floor.

This project will improve firefighter living and working conditions, update critical infrastructure, and ensure the station remains safe, functional, and compliant with today’s building and fire codes.

Project Highlights

  • New sleeping room to accommodate a full three-person crew
  • Additional bathroom and updated facilities
  • Modernized kitchen
  • Improved fire/life safety systems, required by code, including a rescue window and fire separation between the engine bay and living areas
  • Updated HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roof, and sprinkler systems
  • ADA improvements
  • Temporary relocation of firefighters to the Fairfax Community Center during construction

Estimated construction: Summer 2026 – Early 2027

Why the Remodel Is Needed

Fire Station 21 was built in 1974 and requires significant updates to meet modern safety and operational standards. This project focuses on facility improvements and code-compliant upgrades associated with the remodel.

The Town of Fairfax owns and is responsible for maintaining the Fire Station 21 facility. As part of its commitment under the Ross Valley Fire Department agreement, the Town has committed to upgrading the station to safely accommodate a third firefighter, which the current layout cannot support.

In more than 50 years of use, the station has received no major structural upgrades, aside from routine maintenance and repairs following flood damage in 2005, which cost approximately $337,000 and took about six months to complete. Those repairs addressed damage but did not modernize the facility or correct underlying design limitations.

This remodel provides a long-term solution by modernizing the building, improving firefighter safety and wellness, addressing code and life-safety requirements, and ensuring Fire Station 21 can continue to serve the Fairfax community reliably for decades to come.

Project Funding

The Town Council approved a $1.6 million loan from the County of Marin to fund construction.

  • 5-year term
  • Interest rate: approx. 4.73%
  • No prepayment penalty

Loan Agreement (Resolution 25-41)

Where Firefighters & Staff Will Go During Construction

  • Fire crews will temporarily relocate to the Fairfax Community Center, keeping the engine in its current garage to maintain response times.
  • Town staff from the Community Center will temporarily relocate to 21 Park Road, a nearby leased home.

Project Timeline

2024

  • Council selects remodel option (Option 1)

2025

  • Updated project scope and cost estimate
  • Loan funding approved
  • Temporary relocation plan finalized
  • Construction-phase design work authorized

2026

  • Permit review & bidding (early 2026)
  • Construction begins (summer 2026)

2027

  • Construction concludes (early 2027)
  • Community Center restored

Questions?

Public Works Department
Kristin Arnold, Public Works Director karnold@townoffairfaxca.gov.

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