City of San Diego Celebrates Completion of Newest and Greenest Fire Station
Today San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla, Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) Chief Robert Logan celebrated the completion of the City of San Diego’s newest and most environmentally friendly fire station – Fire Station 52.
“I’m excited to celebrate the completion of this top-notch facility featuring San Diego’s first electric fire truck and rapid charger,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “Thanks to our partnership with UC San Diego, we’re delivering on our promise to increase fire protection and life-safety coverage across San Diego.”
Fire Station 52 is two stories with more than 14,000 square feet of space and is located within SDFD’s battalion 5. The new facility has three apparatus bays, a sleeping quarter for nine personnel, an office for firefighters and the battalion chief’s office, an exercise room, a kitchen, a ready room and on-site parking. It is the first station in San Diego to house an electric fire apparatus and rapid electric vehicle charging station, which supports the City’s Climate Action Plan goals.
“One of my main goals is to make sure our firefighters have the resources they need to protect our communities,” said Fire Chief Robert Logan. “I’m very pleased to be able to continue to improve our protection coverage in this area. This collaborative effort between the City and UC San Diego will not only benefit our staff and the community, but the environment, as well.”
The $22.2 million state-of-the-art facility was built along North Torrey Pines Road on the northwest corner of UC San Diego’s campus and will serve Torrey Pines and surrounding communities.
“Safety and sustainability are at the heart of the new Torrey Pines Fire Station,” said Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava. “Through the City's continued partnership with UC San Diego, Station 52 will provide first-class equipment and facilities for our first responders to aid in response times and accessibility. Furthermore, the addition of an electric fire engine is a paradigm shift towards sustainability in the City's day-to-day operations.”
Discussions about Fire Station 52 between the City and UC San Diego began in 2010. The university gave the City $20.5 million for the project and the land where the station was built. The electric fire apparatus cost $2.1 million and was paid for with City funds.
“This project exemplifies what can be achieved through strong collaboration and community partnership, particularly between the City of San Diego and UC San Diego,” said UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “By prioritizing safety, it reaffirms UC San Diego’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of our neighborhood, our city and our entire region.”
Since 2014, the City has now opened new fire stations in six neighborhoods – Torrey Pines, City Heights, Little Italy, Mission Valley, Point Loma and Hillcrest – and renovated four others that serve the communities of La Jolla, Mira Mesa, North Park and Southcrest.