NC Fire's new Bonsall station wins design award

FALLBROOK – Firehouse Magazine has announced the winners of its second-annual Station Design Awards program, which recognizes outstanding architecture and design from fire departments nationwide. North County Fire's new Bonsall station was honored with one of the awards.

Gold, silver and bronze awards were distributed across five categories: career departments, satellite stations, volunteer/combination departments, shared facilities, and renovated fire stations.

The Bonsall station built by North County Fire Protection District was given the bronze award in the Career Fire Station Design category. WLC Architects of Rancho Cucamonga designed the facility.

"Fire stations have evolved significantly over the past 20 years due to the changing role of fire departments across the country," said Janet Wilmoth, special projects director to Firehouse. "Fire departments now recognize the importance of fire sprinklers, meeting rooms for the community, and designated fitness areas in fire stations. A significant increase in environmental awareness is heightened in fire departments. New fire/emergency facilities support the demand for quicker response times, diversity in stations and an added focus on firefighter health and safety."

The winners were selected by a panel of five judges, including two fire chiefs, two architects and one fire protection engineer/architect with expertise in fire station designs.