FOLLOWUP: West Seattle’s new Fire Station 32 goes into service tomorrow

Exactly 16 months after demolition of the old Fire Station 32 began, the new three-story, four-bay station is about to open. Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Kristin Tinsley tells WSB that firefighters will be moving in tomorrow. The new station will house Engine 32 and Ladder 11, which she says will be out of service until about 4 pm for the move, and Battalion 7 and Medic 32, which “will be on radio watch throughout the day until they are settled in.” E32 and L11 have been operating from a temporary station at the future city park site on 40th SW between SW Edmunds and Alaska, while M32 has been temporarily based at Station 37 in Sunrise Heights. The addition of B7 makes this the lead fire station for our entire area.

The new Station 32, designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and budgeted at $18+ million, is opening 10 years after the original projection of a 2007 opening when it was funded by the 2003 Fire Levy, as we reported in 2015. It’s on the same site as the old one – on SW Alaska in The Triangle, between 37th SW and 38th SW.

13 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: West Seattle's new Fire Station 32 goes into service tomorrow"

  • ScubaFrog August 14, 2017 (5:30 pm)

    Awesome!  And that sculpture’s incredible.

  • Swede. August 14, 2017 (5:32 pm)

    Is there going to be any open house or similar thing for the public to get a walk thru? Would be fun. And like to see what $18+ millions buys…

  • JB August 14, 2017 (6:05 pm)

    Are they planning on turning the old temporary location into a park still?

    • WSB August 14, 2017 (7:40 pm)

      Yes, it’s still landbanked. The design discussions are supposed to start before the year’s out. I asked this afternoon when the temporary station will be removed and the city Finance and Administrative Service department says there’s no date for that yet. – TR

  • kumalavula August 14, 2017 (6:12 pm)

    i’m loving all the art that’s going in at all the various fire stations in the area. my nephew was here this summer from so cal and was commenting how the architecture and inclusion of art is so different from the fire houses there. i guess when i moved away from there now almost decades ago, it’s just one of the many things i wiped clean from my memory to make room for new info :)

  • Deb August 14, 2017 (8:44 pm)

    The FS 32 artist is Sean Orlando. Google him & check out some of his other artwork – like the rocket ship!!. 

  • JanS August 14, 2017 (10:21 pm)

    that firetruck design on the building is impressive…outstanding !

  • Shawn August 15, 2017 (7:38 am)

    Does the new station mean that emergency vehicles will use Fauntleroy more when heading south? It seems like they’ve favored California since moving, which always made me scratch my head in terms of how Fauntleroy would seem like a faster route from even the temporary station. 

  • West Sea Neighbor August 15, 2017 (7:55 am)

    I’m not familiar with the fire department parlance for various vehicles. Could someone explain what engine, ladder, battalion etc indicate, as well as the number (e.g., engine 32)? Ladder is somewhat self-explanatory, but I’m curious about this nonetheless and thought others might be as well.

    • Fire3220 August 15, 2017 (11:46 am)

      Engines carry hose and water, and put out fires. They are mainly what you think of for fire equipment. 

      Ladders are generally long trucks with a multi part extension ladder mounted in top. They reach about 100 in the site. They have no hose or water. They find the fire, open doors, walks, and preform ventilation, to aid in extinguishing the fire.

      Battalin chiefs over see about 6 to 8 engines or ladders. Thay are the ones in the SUVs.  

      Most fires will have four engines one ladder, and a BC in charge. 

  • Also John August 15, 2017 (3:00 pm)

    They have a small monument on the north side of the building.  I was very surprised to see they included a scripture from the Bible on the monument.  Why would that get approved in todays world?  I’m sure it won’t last long.

Sorry, comment time is over.