Fire department awarded for “green” station

Dale City, Va. –– The Dale City Volunteer Fire Department knows what it means to go green.

The organization on Friday was awarded the Washington Business Journal Green Business Design Award for Fire Station 10 on Dale Boulevard – a building that was already awarded with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold rating.

“Dale City Volunteer Fire Department Station 10 is the first volunteer fire department to achieve a LEED Gold rating in the United States,” said DCVFD President and Captain Jeremy McPike.

McPike was instrumental in the construction of the $7.3 million building which opened last year.

The station came complete an 11,000 gallon cistern – which lies underneath the building – that collects storm water runoff, water from the air conditioning units and from showers, and reuses it to water the station’s lawn.

There is also a rooftop garden, allowing for lower energy bills at the station.

In 2009, McPike said the station would use 20 percent less energy, and 40 percent less water during its lifespan than comparable buildings its size.

Ten percent of the construction materials used to build the facility was recycled material.

In addition to the WBJ award, the station was also recognized earlier this year as it received the highest honor for design from Fire Chief Magazine, said McPike.

The station sits at 14975 Catalpa Court, off Dale Boulevard in Dale City, and is one of the department’s busiest fire stations due to its close proximity to Interstate 95.

The Dale City Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1967 and operates four fire stations, including  station 10.