Bond: Capital Facilities Projects
We would like to thank the community for their support of our facilities bond in the August 2nd Primary Election. Because of your support, the district will be able to fund projects to improve your safety and the health and safety of our firefighters.
We will continue sharing information about the bond and provide updates on this page as we progress on implementing these service improvements.
Station 51 - Reconstruction Updates
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We were on site this morning (February 2, 2026) as the first swing of the excavator marked the beginning of a new chapter for Station 51. Deputy Chief of Capital Bond and Special Projects John Johnson had the honor of making the first strike, followed closely by Fire Chief Dennis Doan.
Station 51 will be rebuilt as a modern, two-story, 20,740-square-foot facility designed to support our firefighters and serve the growing needs of the Gig Harbor community for decades to come.
Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One continues to make progress on projects funded by the 2022 voter-approved capital bond. Beginning the week of September 8, 2025, Station 51 (6711 Kimball Drive) will temporarily close to allow for demolition and reconstruction.
The project is expected to take approximately 18-24 months to complete. The result will be a modern, two-story, 20,740 square-foot facility designed to meet the growing needs of the Gig Harbor community for decades to come.
Station 51: Then and Now
Built in 1979, the current Station 51 is a single-story, 12,000-square-foot building that has undergone only minor remodels over the years, the most recent in 2000. The new Station 51 has been designed with future growth and safety in mind, featuring:
- Three large pull-through apparatus bays for both current and future apparatus deployment.
- Two smaller bays for command vehicles.
- A dedicated decontamination facility and proper storage for structural firefighting gear.
- Compliance with the new Washington State energy code, including solar panels.
- Updated technology throughout the station.
- Dormitory space with capacity for up to 11 personnel.
- A fire service-themed park plaza welcoming residents and visitors.
- A fire pole for quick access from the second floor to the apparatus bays.
Maintaining Service During Construction
During construction, resources will be strategically re-located to ensure continued emergency coverage across the fire district:
- Engine 51 will relocate to Station 53 at 906 Kamus Dr (Fox Island). The three-person crew will operate as Engine 53.
- Medic 51 will relocate to Station 52 at 2217 Pt. Fosdick Dr. The two-person crew will operate as Medic 52.
- Battalion 51 will relocate to Station 56 at 5210 144th St NW. The single-person crew will continue to operate as Battalion 51.
- To facilitate better overall coverage for the fire district during the Station 51 temporary closure, Engine 56 will relocate from 5210 144th St NW to Station 57 at 10521 Crescent Valley Dr NW. This three-person crew will operate as Engine 57.
A Commitment to Public Safety
“This project represents a major investment in public safety,” said Fire Chief Dennis Doan. “The new Station 51 will provide improved facilities and resources for our crews and the community we serve.”
Additional Bond Projects & Status
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Rendering of the new training and support staff facilities.
Both Station 53 and Station 57 have now been upgraded with important health and safety improvements. Each station now features dedicated decontamination areas equipped with bunker gear extractors and dryers, along with separate locker spaces for storing bunker gear away from the apparatus bays. These changes help reduce carcinogen exposure and support a healthier work environment for our crews.
In addition, both stations have been updated to meet current ADA requirements and seismic safety standards. Each station also gained an additional dorm room to better accommodate our personnel.
News
Here's how Gig Harbor Fire is covering the city while Kimball Drive's Station 51 is being rebuilt - Gig Harbor Now, March 2, 2026
Bids Wanted for Gig Harbor Fire Station - Daily Journal of Commerce, August 29, 2025
Gig Harbor Fire bond passing with over 66 percent of vote - Gig Harbor Now, August 2, 2022
New training facility for Gig Harbor Fire on 2022 election ballot - King5 News, July 19, 2022
Gig Harbor Fire hopes voters deliver long-awaited training facility - Gig Harbor Now, July 19, 2022
Council Endorses Fire Bond (last section in article) - Gig Harbor Now, June 17, 2022
Letter to the Editor: Support Gig Harbor Fire Bond - Gig Harbor Now, May 23, 2022
Wildfire season is fast approaching. Here's what Gig Harbor is doing to be prepared - News Tribune, May 2022
Gig Harbor Fire to Put Facilities Bond on August Ballot | Patch - April 13, 2022
Gig Harbor Fire asks voters to fund station improvements | Gig Harbor Now - April 12, 2022
Here's what the Gig Harbor Fire bond would cost, what it'll fund and how to weigh in | The Peninsula Gateway - March 20, 2022
Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One plans bond measure, seeks comment | Gig Harbor Now - March 17, 2022
Gig Harbor firefighters face a steep climb for a good cause | Gig Harbor Now - March 11, 2022
Call Volumes Continue to Climb for Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One | Gig Harbor Now - January 27, 2022
Gig Harbor Fire Department Sending More Responders Out on Fire, Medical Calls | Gig Harbor Now - January 4, 2022
Gig Harbor Fire Approves $80 Million Plan. Here's what they may ask voters to fund | The Peninsula Gateway - December 20, 2021
Gig Harbor Fire Approves Facility Plan, Levy Request Likely | Patch - December 17, 2021
Fire Chief Recommends Bond for Training Center, Upgrades to Three Stations | Gig Harbor Now - December 15, 2021
Gig Harbor Fire May Ask Voters to Help Fun Live Fire Training Tower, Station Updates | The Peninsula Gateway - November 7, 2021
Additional Documents & Resources
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The bond will fund the construction of a fire training facility on land owned by the Fire District adjacent to Station 58 (Swede Hill).
Renovations of Stations 53 (Fox Island), 57 (Crescent Valley), 58 (Swede Hill) and 59 (Artondale) will also take place. Some do not meet ADA requirements or current seismic standards. They also lack living quarters to accommodate current and projected staffing levels, and a diverse work force.
Station 51 in Gig Harbor, the district’s busiest station, will be replaced at the same location to accommodate additional personnel and modern emergency apparatus.
Decontamination areas at stations will be improved to remove carcinogens and toxic chemicals from fire and medical calls. Cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters, and decontamination areas provide a healthier work environment for emergency personnel.
The bond will last for 20 years and is projected to cost $9.90 per month for the owner of a $500,000 home. The district will begin collecting the tax revenue in January 2023.
Thank you again for your support.
Click here to view the S&P Bond Rating
Click here to view the Bond Election Certificate 2022.
Click here to view the 2022 Northwest Municipal Advisor letter.
Click here or the image below to view the most recent project schedule.
- Questions About the Bond?
- Call Volumes Continue to Increase for Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One
- Board of Fire Commissioners Passes Resolution for Facilities Bond
- Board of Fire Commissioners to Meet on Facilities Bond Resolution
- Call Volumes Continue to Climb for GHFMO
- Gig Harbor Fire Board Adopts Capital Facilities Plan
- GHFMO to Introduce Capital Facilities Plan
