Residents in south Carlsbad now have a new fire station almost three times as big as the 1960s-era one it replaced, accommodating a larger crew, modern firefighting equipment and emergency vehicles to meet the community’s public safety needs.
Fire Station 2 was rebuilt in place, on the corner of Arenal and El Camino Real, just north of the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa. Going from 3,600 square feet to 10,000 required close collaboration with the station’s neighbors and some creative design work. Fire engines will now exit the station directly onto El Camino Real.
In 1969 when the station opened, it was home to one firefighter who responded to about 250 calls a year. Today, Fire Station 2 accommodates a crew of five that responds to more than 4,000 calls annually. In 2016, Carlsbad voters authorized the city to spend city funds to build the new station. The city’s municipal code requires voter approval before spending more than $1 million to acquire or make major improvements to property.
The station’s design reflects the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability, with solar panels for power, a solar hot water heater, low-energy-use lighting and two EV charging stations the public can use.
As part of a City Council public safety goal, the temporary station set up during construction of Fire Station 2 will now move to the site of the old power plant to create a temporary Fire Station 7 on the coast. The long-term plan is to find a site for a permanent Fire Station 7, west of the railroad tracks to serve the busy coastal area.
New public art will be installed at the new Fire Station 2 in the coming months.
