SEATTLE – Fire Chief Harold Scoggins and members of the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) joined Mayor Bruce Harrell, the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) and City and community leaders on Feb. 5 to break ground on the future site of Fire Station 31 in North Seattle.
Construction of the new 22,000 square foot station located at 11302 Meridian Ave. N. begins this month and is slated to be complete in late 2025. Once completed, residents in the rapidly growing North Seattle area will be served by a new three-story station with four apparatus bays. The new station will house a fire engine, ladder truck, medic unit, aid unit and have space for a Health One unit, which is a program designed to respond to individuals immediately in their moment of need to help them navigate the situation, whether that’s medical care, mental health care, shelter or other social services. The new site is designed to meet the growing operational needs of Seattle Fire and the response times of the growing North Seattle community.
“The new Fire Station 31 will provide North Seattle communities with a state-of-the-art facility that meets operational needs, supports the health and wellbeing of our firefighters and first responders, and ensures this growing part of our city has the reliable fire and emergency medical services it deserves for decades to come,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “This new station joins other City investments to advance a comprehensive approach to public safety including the addition of 24 permanent firefighter positions in South Park and West Seattle, the expansion of the Health 99 overdose response unit, and the launch of a dual dispatch pilot in our new CARE department. Taken together, all these efforts are strengthening our public safety network and helping us achieve our One Seattle vision of a safe, thriving neighborhoods.”
Construction of the new station also marks a milestone since the City decided in October 2019 to relocate crews from the former Fire Station 31 on Northgate Way after determining it no longer met SFD’s operational needs. Following an extensive search process led by FAS that included community input and considerations for criteria such as ability to meet service response times, size of property, safety, access to arterial roadways, etc., the City identified and approved a new location for the permanent station at 11302 Meridian Ave. N. The site is primarily vacant.
“Firefighter/EMTs and paramedics who work at Fire Station 31 went out the door on emergency responses more than 11,600 times in 2023. This district is one of the busier areas in the City, and it’s imperative our crews have a fire station to meet their growing operational needs. Breaking ground on the new site for Fire Station 31 means we are one step closer to moving these members into their new quarters,” said Fire Chief Harold Scoggins.
“Today marks a milestone for this project and for public safety in North Seattle. FAS teams are proud to work with our partners at Seattle Fire and to deliver on a fire station that will provide critical care and service to North Seattle residents for years to come,” said Acting FAS Director Kiersten Grove.
The design of the site will also enhance the neighborhood and public streetscape by having the street regraded and repaved, and a new curb, planting strip, street trees, and sidewalks. The station can accommodate up to 13 active fire fighters per shift and three Health One personnel and will include a training/classroom for future SFD training opportunities and community member engagement. A permanent public art installation by local artist Damon Brown will also be placed on the station.
What People Are Saying:
“As the new District 5 Councilmember, I am ecstatic to help break ground on Fire Station 31. Upon its grand opening in 2025, I foresee this station, especially the Health One Unit, will help meet the needs of the growing population in and around Northgate. Our Seattle Fire Department saves lives, and I am grateful Station 31 will have a permanent home here in Northgate.” – Councilmember Cathy Moore, District 5 (North Seattle)
“As chair of the committee that oversees the work of the Seattle Fire Department, I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Mayor and Chief to advocate for a fire station that best reflects the needs of our North Seattle neighbors. The men and women of the Fire Department deserve to have the tools and resources necessary to do their jobs: save lives. I am grateful for the opportunity to the Mayor and Chief in this investment for our community.” – Councilmember Bob Kettle, District 7, Chair of the Public Safety Committee
“Local 27 wants to thank Mayor Bruce Harrell and Chief Harold Scoggins for ensuring that our fire fighters have a safe and healthy place to work. Seattle Fire Fighters need city leaders who prioritize public safety and the men and women who deliver it. Research shows that fire fighters contract on the job cancer at extremely high rates so every step must be taken to minimize our exposure to carcinogens.” – Kenny Stuart, President of Seattle Fire Fighters Union, IAFF Local 27
“Having a new permanent fire station benefits all of us in the North Seattle community, and we are very proud of the partnership we have with Seattle Fire and the City of Seattle. A big part of that relationship comes from North Seattle College’s Fire Science program – the only one of its kind in King County.” – Dr. Rachel Solemsaas, Ed.D, Interim President, North Seattle College