About the Fire Station 1
Project

Our History

Fire Station 1 was originally built in 1948 for an all-male, volunteer fire department. At that time, Westwood had 5,837 residents, and the department responded to approximately 98 calls for service annually.

The station was renovated in 1975 to accommodate a full-time, all-male professional team of firefighters. Today, the Westwood Fire Department has a co-ed team who respond to approximately 4,000 calls on an annual basis. Since 1975, there have been several changes to the firefighting industry — fire apparatus are larger and heavier, decontamination space and toxin-free living quarters are needed, and any updates to structures need to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and building and energy codes.

The 2013 Public Safety Facilities Study noted several structural deficiencies with Fire Station 1, but the decision was made to prioritize a new Police Station and Fire Station 2, knowing the aging Fire Station 1 still needed to be addressed. In 2025, the Westwood community rejected a proposal for a new station, twice, and, following the second failed vote, the Select Board established the Fire Station 1 Steering Committee to evaluate viable options for a new Fire Station 1.

Group of six firefighters standing in front of a fire truck at a fire station.
Aerial view of a fire station with fire trucks parked outside and a building with a solar panel on the roof, surrounded by residential houses and trees.
A Westwood firefighter is surrounded by children as he participates in the 2026 Firefighters Foam
A man dressed as a firefighter in uniform holding an American flag, smiling while standing close to a young boy who is also holding an American flag. They are outdoors with trees and a house in the background.
Image of Fire Station 1 prior to the renovation in 1975

Why a New
Fire Station 1 is Needed

  • In February 2026, a structural engineer conducted an emergency evaluation at Fire Station 1 after Westwood Fire Department personnel observed increased water damage to the apparatus bay floor following a historic snowfall. The engineer determined that bays two and three were no longer suitable to house large fire apparatus until structural remediation could be completed.

    The 2013 Public Safety Facilities Study noted several structural deficiencies at FS1, and “temporary” fixes were made to address the aging building, including lalley columns and steel beams to hold up the main apparatus floor and keep the rear wall from pulling away.

  • Modern fire stations require dedicated decontamination areas to help reduce firefighters’ exposure to carcinogens, smoke residue, hazardous materials, and other contaminants brought back from emergency scenes. The current station lacks appropriate separation and cleaning spaces needed to support firefighter health, equipment cleaning, and best-practice safety standards.

  • Since the station was last renovated in 1975, fire apparatus have increased in both size and weight. All equipment now needs to be stored inside, which is not the case at the current station.

    While the Town does not plan to obtain additional apparatus in the near future, it intents to protect it’s equipment by moving apparatus that are currently outside inside and between FS1 and FS2 for better response times.

  • The existing station does not fully meet modern accessibility standards required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As public safety facilities evolve, departments must provide accessible spaces for firefighters, staff, and visitors, including updated circulation, bathrooms, entrances, and workspaces that support all users safely and equitably.

  • Today’s fire service requires facilities that support a diverse workforce and provide appropriate privacy, sleeping quarters, showers, and bathrooms for all personnel.

    The current station was designed for a all-male department and does not adequately support the operational and workforce needs of a modern department.

How We Got Here

2026

  • On January 29th, Fire Station 1 Steering Committee identifies three Town-owned locations that best meet the criteria for a new FS1 as 637 High Street, 72 Deerfield Avenue, and Parcel 14-131.

  • Following a historic snowfall, Westwood Fire Department personnel observe increased water damage to the FS1 apparatus bay floor. A structural engineer determines bays two and three were no longer suitable to house large fire apparatus until structural remediation could be completed. All fire department operations move to FS2 on February 26th.

  • Finance and Warrant Commission recommends a Town Meeting article to fund feasibility and schematic design on March 25th.

  • PMA Consultants selected as Owner’s Project Manager in April.

  • Town Meeting approves feasibility and schematic design in May.

  • Kaestle Boos Associates selected as designer in June.

2025

  • Project approved at Annual Town Meeting on May 19th.

  • Ballot question for the project on the June 3rd Special Town Election fails.

  • On July 9th, the Select Board calls a second Special Town Election.

  • Ballot question for the project on the September 9th Special Town Election fails.

  • Town holds Public Safety Community Forum on October 7th to determine path forward.

  • Select Board establishes the Fire Station 1 Steering Committee on November 16th.

  • Fire Station 1 Steering Committee holds its first meeting on December 1st.

2024

  • Special Town Meeting approves funds for design and bid of Fire Station 1.

  • Fire Station 1 Working Group formed.

  • Permitting approved by the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Conservation Commission.

2022–2023

Operational study for Westwood Fire Department staffing and feasibility commissioned and presented. The study can be found here.

2013-2016

Public Safety Facilities Task Force convened. The Public Safety Facilities Study noted several structural deficiencies at Fire Station 1. Due to the growth associated with the University Station development, Fire Station 2 and the Police Station projects are prioritized and approved at Town Meeting.

Committee Members

  • Ford Spalding

    CHAIR

    Ford previously chaired the Dover Sherborn High and Middle School building project, Minuteman Vocational High School building project, and Dover Community Center building project. He moved to Westwood two-and-a-half years ago, and previously served on the Dover Select Board.

  • Jodi Petrucelli

    VICE CHAIR

    Jodi has lived in Westwood for 25 years. She is a graduate of Boston College CSOM (1989) and Law (1992). As an attorney, Jodi was formerly the litigation partner of a Boston law firm. She is currently the Assistant Bar Counsel for the Board of Bar Overseers.

  • Ken Aries

    MEMBER

    A proud papa to three grandkids, Ken has lived in Westwood for 41 years. He retired from working as the operations director for Westwood Public Schools. He also serves on the Permanent Building Commission.

  • Peter Bean

    MEMBER

    Peter has been a Westwood resident for 50+ years, and attended Deerfield, Thurston and WHS. He has 27 years experience in commercial real estate.

  • Sarah Cantley

    MEMBER

    Sarah Cantley has lived in Westwood for eight years with her family in the Islington neighborhood. She is a Pine Hill Elementary School parent and volunteers with the PTO.

  • John Cummings

    MEMBER

    A Westwood resident since 2002, John received his BS in Engineering from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. John worked as an engineer for Westinghouse and Siemens and has been a member of the Permanent Building Commission for 17 years. He has also been elected and appointed to numerous Westwood boards, school PTO, SBC and site committees, and coached 49 teams in various Westwood youth athletics.

  • Harry Davis

    MEMBER

    Harry has been a resident of Westwood for over seven years with his wife and two young children, ages 9 and 7, who both attend Pine Hill Elementary. Harry volunteers his team as a coach for several youth sports teams across town and is an advocate for civic and community engagement. He has held a variety of client-facing roles across technology and professional services. 

  • Paul Dullea

    MEMBER

    Paul has lived in Westwood for over 50 years.  He grew up in Westwood and attended Westwood public schools (just like his kids). Paul is a lawyer who has been working in the management of legal associations for over 25 years.

  • Nancy James

    MEMBER

    Nancy has lived in Westwood for the past 19 years and like many other residents, chose Westwood for the solid reputation of its school system and above average services provided by the town.   

    She has been active on many boards and committees in town including board member of the Westwood Young Women’s Club, Co-Chair of the Westwood Early Childhood Council, Girl Scout leader and coordinator of Westwood’s PMC Kids Ride.

Committee Charge

Committee Charge

  • The FS1 Steering Committee is charged with providing an objective, transparent, and community-informed evaluation of both short-term and long-term options for Fire Station 1. The Committee will ensure that all options are assessed consistently, grounded in data, and aligned with operational needs, public safety standards, and community expectations.

  • Educate ourselves, educate the community, and communicate.

  • The Committee shall:

  • Review information, data, and recommendations developed by Town staff, Fire Department personnel, and consultants.

  • Ask clarifying questions to ensure a full and shared understanding of the material.

  • Provide informed, consensus-based recommendations to the Select Board on both short-term and long-term FS1 needs.

  • Serve as a bridge between technical analysis and community priorities, ensuring clarity, transparency, and accessibility of information.

  • Communicate information gathered throughout the process to the community in a clear, accurate, and accessible manner, helping residents understand the issues, constraints, and tradeoffs involved.

  • Embrace the role of learners, translators, and communicators, absorbing technical information, distilling it into understandable terms, and sharing it publicly.

Core Responsibilities 

  • Establish a realistic timeline for completing the Committee’s work.

  • Assess the Fire Department’s operational and facility needs, including space requirements, apparatus needs, staffing and operations.

  • Review the existing evaluation scorecard and determine whether any revisions are needed.

  • Apply the scorecard to all identified short-term and long-term options.

  • Document the rationale behind each criterion scoring to support transparency and public understanding. 

Deliverable

  • The Committee will produce:

  • A clear, written summary of programmatic needs.

  • A completed and documented scorecard analysis for each short-term and long-term option.

  • An explanation of all high, moderate, and low scores, including supporting data.

  • A final recommendation to the Select Board identifying which option(s) should move forward for further study, community engagement, or funding.

The Select Board has given the Committee the goal of having a preferred location identified by March 1, 2026.  

PMA Consultants (Owner’s Project Manager)

PMA Consultants is a construction consulting firm, an integrated team of skilled professionals who deliver solutions to your project challenges by providing innovative, construction-focused program and project management services.

Kaestle Boos Associates, Architects (Designer)

Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc. is a multidisciplinary design firm of architects, landscape architects, interior designers, and educational planners, designing for public K-12 schools and safety facilities for 60+ years.

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