Virginia Beach Blackwater Fire and EMS Station 13
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Overview
Virginia Beach Blackwater Fire and EMS Station 13 was constructed to provide enhanced emergency response capabilities to the City's rural Blackwater community and surrounding southern Virginia Beach region. The approximately 12,000-square-foot facility replaced an aging station and brought fire, rescue, and EMS operations together under one roof, improving service delivery and operational efficiency for both career and volunteer personnel. The station includes apparatus bays, administrative offices, living quarters, training and support spaces, and accommodations for emergency medical services operations. Thompson Consulting Engineers provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering services for the project. Building systems were designed to support the unique operational demands of a combined fire and EMS facility while improving energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and long-term reliability. The completed station strengthened emergency response capabilities in one of Virginia Beach's most geographically expansive service areas and provided first responders with a modern facility designed to support around-the-clock operations.
Challenges
- Designing reliable mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems capable of supporting continuous fire, rescue, and EMS operations.
- Coordinating building systems for a facility that serves both career and volunteer personnel while accommodating apparatus bays, living quarters, administrative functions, and emergency medical services operations.
- Delivering resilient infrastructure capable of supporting emergency response activities within a rural service area covering a large geographic region.
Goals
- Provide dependable MEP and fire protection systems that support 24-hour emergency response readiness.
- Create a comfortable, efficient, and functional environment for firefighters, EMS personnel, and volunteer responders.
- Deliver sustainable and maintainable building infrastructure that supports long-term operational performance and community service needs.
Project Team
- Owner: City of Virginia Beach
- Architect: RRMM Architects
- Contractor: W.M. Jordan Company
Results
- Successfully delivered a modern combined Fire and EMS station equipped with efficient and reliable building systems tailored to emergency response operations.
- Enhanced operational readiness by providing first responders with updated apparatus support spaces, living quarters, and administrative facilities.
- Strengthened emergency response capabilities throughout the Blackwater community and southern Virginia Beach through a resilient facility designed to serve the region for decades to come.
