UCSD - University of California - San Diego
10/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/24/2024 03:00
Celebrating a New Fire Station—a First for Our Campus
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October 24, 2024Article Content
It was an overcast day, but spirits were bright as the opening of the long-awaited Torrey Pines Fire Station 52 was celebrated last week. The fire station, a first for the campus, is among more than 10 new or rebuilt fire stations brought to San Diego in the past decade. The campus and the city gathered to mark this achievement that serves the campus, University City and surrounding communities.
Speakers at the event included Mayor Todd Gloria, UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla, Fire Chief Robert Logan, Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava and University City Community Association President Jemma Samala.
"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 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."
Located near the intersection of Genesee Avenue and North Torrey Pines Road, Torrey Pines Fire Station 52 will provide vital emergency services and enable faster response times. In addition to donating the land to the city, the campus supported this effort with more than $20 million in funding.
Fire Station 52 supports sustainability, as the first station in San Diego to house an electric fire apparatus and rapid electric vehicle charging station.
The new station will accommodate the standard fire station crew of nine personnel per 24-hour shift and include three drive-through fire apparatus vehicle bays, administrative offices, kitchen and dining area, day room, reception/watch room, training room, wash room, exercise room and crew quarters.
All new San Diego Fire Department fire stations are built to accommodate two crews of four firefighters. In this case, Station 52 will be the headquarters for Battalion 5 and will house a battalion chief which means five crew on each 24-hour shift with space for another crew if future expansion is necessary.
"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."