UCFD Station 22 Seismic Rehabilitation
McCormack Construction partnered with Umatilla County Fire District #1 on a comprehensive seismic rehabilitation of Fire Station #22 in Hermiston, Oregon, designed to ensure the facility can continue providing critical emergency and medical services following a major seismic event. The $1.3 million project was completed in seven months and represents an essential investment in public safety infrastructure for the town of Hermiston and Umatilla County. The rehabilitation ensures that first responders have a safe, functional facility from which to serve the community during emergencies.
The project involved an 11,826-square-foot seismic renovation of the existing Fire Station #22, including installation of new footings, concrete shear walls, seismic connections, structural steel, and a tap-out system. McCormack served as CM/GC, managing comprehensive architectural improvements including a complete roof replacement. The work required precision installation of complex seismic components while maintaining the station’s operational capability and protecting the existing structure throughout the renovation process.
Key challenges included navigating existing site conditions, managing the complex installation of seismic components, and working within limited site space at the intersection of two of Hermiston’s busiest roads. Special inspection requirements and seismic billing compliance added layers of documentation and quality control demands. The project timeline required demolition and installation of a new roof through winter weather conditions, creating additional scheduling and weather protection challenges while maintaining public safety and minimizing traffic disruption at a highly visible, high-traffic location.
To address these challenges, McCormack maintained constant communication with UCFD #1 leadership and subcontractors to maximize efficiency while managing traffic flow at the busy intersection. The team worked closely with the engineering team to develop solutions for issues not identified in the original drawings, demonstrating flexibility and technical problem-solving capabilities. McCormack maintained a high level of quality control throughout the project, ensuring that all special inspections were passed successfully and that seismic components were installed to exact specifications.
The UCFD Station 22 seismic rehabilitation reinforced Fire Station #22 as a critical facility for Hermiston and established a strong relationship with Umatilla County Fire District #1, creating potential for referral work throughout their network. For McCormack Construction, this project demonstrates expertise in complex seismic rehabilitation of occupied emergency services facilities while maintaining operational continuity, managing high-traffic site constraints, and meeting stringent quality and inspection requirements.