On 1 March 2024, officials commemorated the opening of two newly constructed fireboat stations at the Port of Long Beach.
These stations mark a significant improvement in the Long Beach Fire Department’s ability to respond to emergencies both on the water and on land, providing enhanced safety for ships, cargo, and waterfront personnel.
Known as Fireboat Station 15 and Fireboat Station 20, these facilities are part of a US$109 million initiative by the Port of Long Beach aimed at ensuring business continuity, security, and economic prosperity in the region.
“These fireboat stations will provide an important and invaluable safety service to our Port. Our firefighters are now equipped with the most sophisticated facilities and emergency response capabilities to protect our Port, its valuable assets and our waterfront workforce” stated Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach.
Fireboat Station 15, situated in the Port’s outer harbour, boasts a single-level structure spanning 720 square meters. It includes living quarters, a garage accommodating two firefighting apparatus trucks, and a complete wharf featuring 1,516 square meters of boat bay enclosure housing fireboat Vigilance. Construction commenced in April 2019, with the project reaching completion in September 2021.
Additionally, Fireboat Station 20, located in the inner harbour, is a two-level edifice covering 908 square meters. It also features living quarters, a two-truck garage, and a 1,512 square meters boat bay enclosure housing fireboat Protector. Construction began in March 2021, and the project concluded in December 2023.
The introduction of fireboats Protector and Vigilance in 2016 and 2017 respectively represented significant advancements in harbour firefighting and emergency response capabilities at the Port of Long Beach. Each fireboat is equipped with 10 water cannons capable of delivering up to 41,000 gallons per minute, reaching distances of up to 182 meters, equivalent to the length of two football fields.
Approved for construction by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners in 2017, both stations were funded by Port revenues and are expected to serve for 50 years.
“This is a great day for the Port of Long Beach, as we celebrate the completion of a long-needed major revamping of fire safety facilities and equipment in the harbour. Fireboat Stations 15 and 20 and our fireboats vastly improve our preparedness and resilience in the face of emergencies,” stated Mario Cordero, CEO of Port of Long Beach.
