Chesterfield County Fire Station #5
Midlothian, Virginia
Overview
Chesterfield County Fire Station No. 5 is a 15,000-square-foot public safety facility developed to replace the original Midlothian station and expand fire and emergency medical response capabilities in one of Chesterfield County’s most active and rapidly developing service areas. The three-bay station accommodates an engine, ambulance, ladder truck, and other specialized apparatus while providing individual sleeping quarters, fitness areas, administrative and support spaces, and modern accommodations designed around the health, safety, and operational needs of 24/7 personnel. Thompson Consulting Engineers provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design, Construction Administration, and Commissioning services for the project, integrating reliable building systems capable of supporting continuous emergency operations. The facility strengthens emergency response throughout the Midlothian area while introducing a flexible prototype design that can adapt to future personnel, apparatus, and community service demands.
Challenges
- Replaced an aging fire station with a modern facility while supporting the evolving operational requirements of fire and EMS personnel.
- Designing reliable mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems capable of supporting continuous emergency response operations and around-the-clock occupancy.
- Coordinating building systems to serve diverse functional spaces, including apparatus bays, administrative offices, living quarters, training facilities, and support areas.
Goals
- Deliver resilient MEP and fire protection systems that support emergency readiness and long-term operational reliability.
- Create a healthy, comfortable, and efficient environment for firefighters, EMS personnel, and staff.
- Provide sustainable and maintainable infrastructure that supports Chesterfield County’s current and future public safety needs.
Project Team
- Owner: Chesterfield County
- Architect: GuernseyTingle
- Contractor: Oyster Point Construction
Results
- Expanded emergency response capabilities with a three-bay facility accommodating an engine, ambulance, ladder truck, and specialized apparatus.
- Introduced additional ladder-truck coverage to better serve Midlothian’s growing concentration of multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use development.
- Delivered a flexible prototype station designed to support 24/7 operations while adapting to future personnel, apparatus, and community service needs.
