Corvallis Fire Department’s Fire Station 3 will close its doors to the public later this month to make way for a major makeover.

Constructed over 40 years ago, Fire Station 3 will undergo its first comprehensive renovation since its opening. The project is the first in a series of efforts by the City of Corvallis to modernize old buildings and will take an estimated 11 months to complete.

The $3.5 million project is fully funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, a federal stimulus program providing emergency grants to state and local governments.

According to City of Corvallis Public Information Officer Patrick Rollens, a major focus of the renovation is improving working conditions to fit current standards.

“Firefighter safety regulations and best practices, as well as staff expectations, have changed a lot,” Rollens said. “The city has an obligation to provide a safe, efficient work area for its staff.”

One of the major changes is the shift in demographics since the 1970s. With more women now working at fire departments, the renovation attempts to make the station more equitable through creating separate facilities like dormitories and showers. 

Fire Station 3 will also receive a brand new indoor apparatus bar to help protect its larger vehicles and equipment.

“Until now, Station 3’s brush rig – used for wildland firefighting – has been stored outdoors, where it is vulnerable to inclement weather as well as potentially vandalism,” Rollens said. “This is an expensive vehicle that needs a safe and secure indoor accommodation so that it can be reliably put into service in the event of an emergency.”

While the building is under construction, Fire Station 3 workers will be temporarily relocated to either Fire Station 1 or 5, depending on their roles. Staff will continue to answer calls from the area served by Station 3.