2022 Station Design Conference Preview

Why should you invest your time and energy to attend a conference focused on designing and building a police station or law enforcement facility?

Because law enforcement responsibilities have changed significantly in the past several years and so have the requirements for law enforcement facilities. New technology, advanced training and a focus on the physical and mental health of LE personnel, have increased for LE facilities. Stations built just three years ago are now incorporating the latest innovations in LE facilities.

The 2022 Station Design Conference is unique. We provide a learning environment for designing and building a new law enforcement facility. The conference offers over 30 programs tailored to help you design the right facility for your department and the community it serves (www.FHStationDesign.com). Conference presenters include police chiefs and project managers, as well as architectural firms specialized in public safety facilities. There are four tracks for attendees to choose from to best fit the plans for your project facility.

On Tuesday, May 24th, the general session begins with an overview of the process of designing and building a new law enforcement, fire or combined facility. Ken Newell, AIA, Stewart-Cooper-Newell, offers a lively session to provide attendees a solid foundation of knowledge on designing public safety facilities and to prepare for the wide-ranging presentations offered over the next couple days.

Since starting a new project brings on questions from the community and municipal leaders, a couple presentations will help you prepare, including the benefits of investing in a study and another on creating a building’s program. Tuesday afternoon has 16 classes, among four tracks, to select from that best fit the needs of your project. Two tracks focus on fire/rescue, one track on law enforcement and a new fourth track focuses on co-located (fire and LE) facilities, EMS and emergency operations centers. Each track is open to all attendees.

On Tuesday afternoon, Jeffery McElravy, Tecton Architects, presents, Going Further, Together: The ‘Why’ Behind Mission-Driven Station Design Solutions. Besides the standard high-tech firearms simulators, fitness training center, comfortable break areas, what about diversity and inclusivity?

“Asking ‘what’ will generate a list of spaces,” says McElravy. “Asking ‘why’ will deliver a mission-driven project that begins with the definition of key values, becomes an agent for positive change in the community, and ultimately creates the buy-in necessary for successfully funding a project.” McElravy will share real life examples, program and space planning exercises, case studies and demonstrate how inclusivity can lead to impactful solutions.

The political climate and demands on law enforcement personnel within the 21st century often call for the design of police stations that present conflicting design challenges. Community policing concepts suggest stations be designed to be visually accessible and inviting to the public. In the Accessible Fortress, Robert Manns, Manns Woodward Studios, will share ideas to designing and developing a facility that engages the community and keeps departmental personnel safe. Key concepts will be reviewed include Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED); site planning, materials and systems to harden the building and internal security and “zones” and more.

Many local cities, counties and governments are having to tighten budgets, while the need for suitable, secure public safety structures continues. Consequently, combined multi-agency facilities (law enforcement, fire, emergency operation centers, etc.) have increased in number, primarily due to cost savings. James Stumbo, Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects, will present How to Plan and Design a Successful Shared Public Safety Facility. And, Stumbo believes another benefit of co-located facilities is “Improved working relationships between fire and law enforcement.”

The impact of climate change, including rising sea levels, ice storms, hurricanes, tornados and more is the message in Designing Public Safety Facilities for Changing Climates, with Susan Gantt, ADG, and a chief from Monroe Co, FL. Police, fire and public safety facilities are not exempt from natural disasters, many examples have presented.

Station Design Conference

In addition to the conference presentations, the exhibit area offers more than 60 firms and companies specializes in services and products for public safety facilities. To maximize networking opportunities with these resources, breakfasts, lunches and breaks are all offered within the exhibits area.

Whether you are just starting to plan a new facility or are knee-deep in construction, the 2022 Station Design Conference will show you how save you time, money and headaches on your new law enforcement or public safety facility. We promise.