New Rancho Santa Fe Fire Station Nearly Completed

New Rancho Santa Fe fire station nearing completion

A new fire station under construction in Fairbanks Ranch will be one of the safest buildings in the community due to strict earthquake standards imposed by the state.
The new station at 6424 El Apajo will replace the Rancho Santa Fe Fire District’s former Station No. 3, which was demolished last year. During construction, the area is being served from a temporary station housed in trailers across the street.
Construction on the new station began in June 2010, and district officials expect to open the new station in December or January.

Chief Tony Michel and Capt. Chris Galindo at the Rancho Santa Fe Fire District's newly renovated Station No. 3.

The new, nearly 11,000-square-foot station replaces a 3,000-square-foot-facilty built in 1983. In 1986, California adopted the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act, which requires that public safety buildings such as fire stations be built 125 percent stronger than non-safety buildings, said Rancho Santa Fe fire Capt. Chris Galindo, project manager for the new fire station.