The Yuba City Fire Department was working in a cramped facility next door to the project location.

As Yuba City expanded further, fire stations within the county came under the central administrative office’s jurisdiction, and it became clear that larger premises were necessary.

With the aid of a grant, and with the City’s help, this new building was created next door to the original station. At the City Manager’s request the design took the form of an old converted firehouse. Materials used in this creation included cement plaster, brick masonry, cast stone decorative elements and real terra cotta roof tiles.

Additionally, icons associated with firefighting were incorporated into the design; most conspicuous are the twin Dalmatian dogs. These have proven to be very popular with neighborhood children and their parents! Pick and shovel adornments were also added to the façade. In addition, a unique emblem was designed; this was then hand-carved in wood before being re-created in stone by a Northern California cast stone company. It has now been affixed to the building’s main face.

The entire YCFD administrative offices have now relocated to their new space. The larger and more efficient building also contains classrooms and meeting areas for the firefighters.

State-of-the-art emergency communications have been installed, whereby responders can connect with all the surrounding firehouses simultaneously.

This project has won acclaim from the community, and has also been featured in the national “Firechief” magazine.

credit: mark rusconi, principal in charge-moniz and rusconi architects