City of Griswold Fire Station and Rescue Facility

Challenge

As the City of Griswold, Iowa, continued to grow, its fire department needed a facility that could keep pace with rising service demands. The existing station constrained daily operations and efficiency, with tight apparatus maneuvering, equipment storage spilling into circulation areas, and no dedicated space for training. With the station’s most recent addition approximately 50 years old and experiencing structural deterioration, the reality became clear: a new fire station was necessary.

The city was committed to honoring the fire department’s long-standing role in the community in the new facility. In front of the existing station stood a memorial bearing the date EST. 1885, featuring a large bell, a firefighter statue, and an American flag. For the City, preserving this memorial was non-negotiable. It represented more than history; it reflected nearly 140 years of service, sacrifice, and community trust.

Solution

The City of Griswold partnered with SEH to plan and design a new 12,000-square-foot fire station that could keep pace with increasing service demands while honoring decades of community history. More than a replacement for an aging building, the project was an opportunity to correct long-standing operational constraints and create a facility that reflects the department’s role at the heart of the community. Preserving the existing memorial as a visible and meaningful focal point became an early priority, helping anchor the new design in the department’s legacy.

3D visualizations allowed city officials and department members to evaluate options early, building confidence that the final layout would function as intended before construction began. Site studies and iterative layout testing ultimately led to a configuration that strengthens the relationship between bays and support spaces.

The completed facility now features five apparatus bays, including two double-deep drive-through bays that allow vehicles to enter and exit without backing, significantly reducing on-site hazards. Surrounding these bays, support spaces are strategically arranged to keep personnel, equipment, and response functions closely connected. A dedicated hose drying tower enhances equipment maintenance, while clearly defined storage and staging areas eliminate the clutter that once constrained the previous building. By adding administrative offices and dedicated training rooms that were not included in the previous facility, the project creates a centralized space for coordination and in-house instruction that strengthens communication and supports long-term preparedness.

A kitchen and day room were also integrated into the layout to support the department’s daily routines while maintaining close access to the apparatus bays. This arrangement supports rapid movement from gathering spaces to response vehicles when calls arise.

The result is a station that resolves past limitations, respects the department’s heritage, and equips Griswold’s firefighters to serve their growing community with greater efficiency and confidence.