Beginning in July of 2007, Broaddus & Associates was retained as the City of Gulfport’s project manager for all Hurricane Katrina recovery projects. One of the multiple projects included in the City of Gulfport Disaster Recovery Contract was Fire Station #7, which was completely destroyed during the storm.

The station was hit by a storm surge and wind that knocked down three of four sides of the building. All electrical, mechanical, and plumbing was destroyed or damaged, in addition to substantial site damage. After Katrina, the city utilized a manufactured home on the site.

Broaddus & Associates provided the following services for the Fire Station #7 project as the client’s representative: oversight of design, plan review, oversight of construction, FEMA grant management, procurement consultation, budgeting, forecasting, project closeout, inspections, and weekly client updates.

The new building is 8,881 SF and includes larger engine bays for newer, larger ladder trucks to service local high-rise buildings, a state-of-the-art engine bay ventilation system, reinforced core-filled CMU exterior walls to protect the building and equipment from future hurricanes, additional engine truck access from the rear of the building, floor plan accommodating female firefighters stationed at #7, and a backup generator.

In addition, the new fire station blends with surrounding neighborhoods and avoids the stereotypical appearance of most fire stations.