New Y-12 fire station in Oak Ridge replaces one built in the 1940s

The Oak Ridger
·2 min read

At Y-12 National Security Complex, the landscape continues to change. The latest new facility to begin operations is a state-of-the-art fire station.

During a push-in ceremony July 24, firefighters and project leaders move Ladder 1 into its new bay at the newly complete Y-12 Fire Station.
During a push-in ceremony July 24, firefighters and project leaders move Ladder 1 into its new bay at the newly complete Y-12 Fire Station.

Construction began in the spring of 2021 after 20 years of discussion and planning, according to a news release. When visiting the new Y-12 Fire Station in January of this year, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Administrator Jill Hruby described it as a model construction project for NNSA and the Nuclear Security Enterprise.

On July 24, the Y-12 Fire Department officially moved in, making the station fully operational.

“The new facility will improve our department’s ability to serve the plant and our community,” Fire Chief James Arnold said in the news release from Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), which operates Y-12 for the U.S. Department of Energy.

The old fire station building, which was originally constructed in the 1940s and expanded in the ‘60s and ‘80s, has a lot of issues according to Chief Arnold and the firefighters who have used the facility.

A view of the completed fire station before occupancy in July 2023.
A view of the completed fire station before occupancy in July 2023.

“We’ve had to live with some rough conditions for a while,” said Y-12 Fire Department Captain Mike Jeffries, a 17-year veteran of Y-12.

“How do I feel about the move to our new fire hall?” Jeffries asked. He smiled. “I’m happy.”

“The upgraded firehouse will not only improve the working environment for our firefighters, but also their lifestyle as it will allow us to transition to a more traditional firefighter schedule. It will also house better and more effective equipment,” Arnold stated.

The new fire station is one of two NNSA pilot projects at Y-12 designed to streamline the efficiencies and delivery of construction projects under $50 million. The second project was the newly-constructed Emergency Operations Center.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC.

Leaving deteriorating conditions behind, Y-12 firefighters can enjoy provides a welcome boost for employee morale.
Leaving deteriorating conditions behind, Y-12 firefighters can enjoy provides a welcome boost for employee morale.
NNSA administrator Jill Hruby joined NPO and CNS leadership for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Y-12 Fire Station in January 2023.
NNSA administrator Jill Hruby joined NPO and CNS leadership for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Y-12 Fire Station in January 2023.
A line of emergency vehicles on the move from the old fire station to the new Y-12 Fire Station. The original Y-12 Fire Station served the plant for nearly 80 years.
A line of emergency vehicles on the move from the old fire station to the new Y-12 Fire Station. The original Y-12 Fire Station served the plant for nearly 80 years.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: New Y-12 fire station in Oak Ridge replaces one built in the 1940s