Fire station

A fire station is a facility designed to house firefighting equipment such as fire engines and related gear, along with personal protective equipment and hoses. It also provides living and working spaces for firefighters and support staff. In the U.S., these stations are often named after the primary companies or apparatus they house, or based on their location.

Fire stations typically include a garage for storing at least one fire engine, storage space for equipment, and warning signs to manage traffic near the station. Towers in these stations serve various purposes: drill towers for high-rise rescue training, hose towers for drying hoses, and historically as lookout points for spotting fires. Regular activities at fire stations involve apparatus inspections, training drills, and public events like "fire prevention week."

Occupied fire stations are staffed by career firefighters who live on-site, often in dormitories during night shifts. These stations have alarm systems to notify emergencies, with some older designs featuring a living area above the garage accessed via poles, though modern designs place living quarters on the same level for safety.

Unoccupied stations rely on volunteer or part-time firefighters summoned by alarms, sirens, or pagers. These stations may include office space, libraries, and areas for displaying memorabilia. Fire stations vary in design and function depending on their location and operational needs.