Fire Station Building Condition Assessment and Station Location StudyCity of Dubuque
City Council
ACTION ITEMS # 7.
Copyrighted
November 17, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Fire Station Building Condition Assessment and Station
Location Study
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval to
proceed with issuing the Request for Proposals (RFP) for
Consultation Services: Fire Station Building Condition
Assessment and Station Location Study, and to authorize the
reallocation of funds from CIP Project #1315000028 to
support the consulting contract.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Staff Memo- Comprehensive Fire Station Location and Facilities Study 2025
Page 742 of 750
Dubuque
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Fire Station Building Condition Assessment and Station Location Study
DATE: November 13, 2025
Fire Chief Amy Scheller is recommending City Council approval to proceed with issuing
the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Consultation Services: Fire Station Building
Condition Assessment and Station Location Study, and to authorize the reallocation of
funds from CIP Project #1315000028 to support the consulting contract.
The consultant will provide prioritized recommendations, cost estimates, and options for
maintaining or improving station readiness and coverage in alignment with the
community's growth, service demands, and strategic goals. Deliverables will include a
final report and presentation to City management and the City Council by September
2026.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Y
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Amy Scheller, Fire Chief
Page 743 of 750
THE CITY OF
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TO: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Amy Scheller, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Fire Station Building Condition Assessment and Station Location Study
DATE: November 5, 2025
INTRODUCTION:
The Fire Department respectfully requests approval to issue a Request for Proposal
(RFP) to identify a qualified consulting firm to conduct a Comprehensive Fire Station
Location and Facilities Study. This project directly supports the 2025-2027 City Council
Goals and Priorities, which identify the completion of a comprehensive fire station
facilities and location study as a top priority. The RFP will help determine the current
condition and functionality of all six City fire stations, evaluate the adequacy of existing
locations to meet present and future service needs, and provide data -driven
recommendations for future facility investment and station configuration planning.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Dubuque Fire Department operates from six fire stations, constructed
between 1903 and 1979, which collectively serve the entire city through an all -hazards
emergency response model providing fire, emergency medical services (EMS), and
specialized rescue (hazardous materials, technical rescue and water rescue) response
to the city. These stations vary significantly in age, condition, and design functionality.
Several facilities, including Stations 4, 5, and 6, are historic structures that face
increasing maintenance demands and space constraints due to modern apparatus,
staffing, and operational needs. Prior to committing major capital resources toward
renovation, replacement, or expansion, it is essential to obtain an independent
professional assessment and station location analysis to guide future facility planning.
The proposed RFP outlines a two-part study to be conducted by a qualified firm:
1. Building Condition Assessment:
A comprehensive evaluation of each facility's structural integrity, building
systems (mechanical, electrical, HVAC, plumbing), code and ADA compliance,
deferred maintenance, and space utilization.
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2. Station Location Study:
A professional analysis of station placement and response coverage using GIS
and emergency response modeling tools. The study will validate the City's
internal analytics which include current response and station location software
and planning development and growth projections. The selected consultant
would provide recommendations for optimal station distribution and long-term
facility planning which would consider the current condition and location of
current stations.
The consultant will provide prioritized recommendations, cost estimates, and options for
maintaining or improving station readiness and coverage in alignment with the
community's growth, service demands, and strategic goals. Deliverables will include a
final report and presentation to City management and the City Council by September
2026.
To support this initiative, the Fire Department proposes to reallocate existing funds from
CIP Project #1315000028 — "All Fire Stations Tuckpointing" Because the RFP will
include a full facility condition assessment encompassing tuckpointing and structural
evaluations for all stations, this reallocation provides funding for the initial phase of the
RFP if approved.
RECOMMENDATION:
Respectfully request approval to proceed with issuing the Request for Proposals (RFP)
for Consultation Services: Fire Station Building Condition Assessment and Station
Location Study, and to authorize the reallocation of funds from CIP Project
#1315000028 to support the consulting contract.
This project represents a critical step toward implementing the City Council's adopted
priorities, ensuring responsible long-term planning for the City's fire station facilities, and
maintaining efficient, equitable, and sustainable emergency service delivery to the
community.
2
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