The Importance of Wellness in Firefighting
Firefighting is an incredibly demanding profession, both mentally and physically. Firefighters regularly face high-stress situations, long shifts, and hazardous environments that take a toll on their health. The physical demands of the job—from lifting heavy equipment to enduring extreme conditions—can lead to long-term injuries. In fact, Canadian firefighters have a significantly higher risk of developing work-related cancer, with 86% of occupational fatality claims for firefighters linked to cancer between 2005 and 2016 Canada.ca.
Simultaneously, the emotional strain of responding to life-threatening situations and witnessing traumatic events can lead to mental health challenges, including PTSD, anxiety, and burnout. Studies suggest that approximately 20% of firefighters experience symptoms of PTSD, and many face heightened rates of depression and anxiety compared to the general population frontiersin.org.
Given these challenges, it’s clear that fire stations—where firefighters spend a considerable amount of time—should be designed with wellness in mind. Unfortunately, many fire stations are still primarily utilitarian spaces, designed with functionality in mind but neglecting the well-being of the people who work in them. Often, they lack features that could support mental and physical recovery, such as designated spaces for rest, relaxation, and rehabilitation.
A Personal Perspective on Fire Station Design
As a volunteer firefighter, I’ve seen firsthand how station design can impact our ability to recover from the rigors of the job. I remember one particular call, freshly graduated from the program and after hours of physically and mentally demanding work, we returned to the station for a Critical Incident Stress Management debrief. We pulled chairs from a stack, arranging them in a circle in our training room, doing our best to process what had just happened. While the conversation and support from my crew were invaluable, the space itself wasn’t designed for recovery. It was functional but not particularly comfortable, and the blazing lights made it feel like an interrogation space making it harder to fully decompress before heading home.
This isn’t a criticism of any one station—it’s a common reality. Many fire stations have been designed with efficiency as the priority, and while that’s essential, the need for intentional spaces that support firefighter recovery is often overlooked. Over time, I’ve realized that thoughtful design can make a real difference in how firefighters rest, reset, and prepare for the next call.
Designing for Wellness: The Need for a Shift in Approach
The current state of fire station design no longer meets the needs of modern firefighters, especially when considering long-term health and well-being. It’s time to rethink how these spaces are built—not just for functionality, but for holistic wellness.
For volunteer fire stations, where firefighters arrive on call rather than staying overnight, one of the most important design elements is clear, efficient movement through the space. Volunteer firefighters need to respond quickly, which means an unobstructed pathway from the entrance to gear storage, fire trucks, and the exit is critical. Sounds obvious, right? Unfortunately, many stations that started with good intentions have accumulated years of clutter, slowly creeping into those critical pathways.
For full-time fire stations, the challenge shifts to supporting recovery and mental decompression between calls. Applying human-centered design principles, such as ergonomics and biophilic elements, can reduce stress, improve physical health, and enhance focus during emergency response situations.
Lighting the way to Mental and Physical Recovery
A critical yet often overlooked aspect of fire station design is lighting. Thoughtful lighting design can significantly impact mental and physical recovery, setting the tone for different areas within the station. Bright, energizing lighting is essential in active zones like apparatus bays and fitness areas, while soft, calming lighting in rest spaces helps firefighters decompress between calls.
Natural light is particularly beneficial. Studies show that exposure to natural light reduces stress, improves mental clarity, and supports circadian rhythm alignment—essential for firefighters who operate on irregular schedules. A combination of well-placed windows, skylights, and artificial lighting that mimics natural daylight can enhance the station’s overall atmosphere, fostering both alertness and relaxation as needed.
For example, decompression spaces should feature dimmable, warm lighting to ease the transition from high-stress calls to recovery mode. Meanwhile, training and fitness areas benefit from more intense lighting to promote focus and energy. By integrating biophilic design principles and prioritizing lighting solutions that support firefighter wellness, stations can become spaces that not only serve operational needs but also actively contribute to mental and physical well-being.
Case Study: Marion Fire Station No. 1 – Prioritizing Mental Health in Design
The Marion Fire Station No. 1, designed by OPN Architects, is a 21,200-square-foot facility that integrates biophilic design principles to enhance firefighter wellness. With full-height glass doors, a green roof, and natural wood materials, the space fosters a connection to nature while maintaining functionality.
Key features include a history wall to reinforce department pride, strategic decontamination areas to reduce exposure to carcinogens, and training-integrated elements like a hose-drying tower and ice rescue pond. The living quarters, wrapped in glass with exposed wood ceilings, incorporate circadian rhythm-based lighting and escalating alarms to minimize sleep disruption.
However, while the station excels in many areas, some relaxation spaces lack comfortable, long-term seating options. This highlights a key challenge: balancing operational efficiency with comfort in wellness-oriented design
Prioritizing Wellness in Fire Station Design
Firefighter wellness is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Firefighters put their lives on the line every day, facing extreme physical and mental challenges that take a toll on their well-being. As we’ve seen, the current state of fire station design often fails to support the needs of those who work in these spaces. It’s essential that we shift from seeing fire stations as mere functional utility buildings to viewing them as spaces that promote recovery, health, and long-term resilience.
Through careful attention to ergonomic design, dedicated wellness areas, and thoughtful space planning, we can create fire stations that not only serve their operational purpose but also contribute to the overall well-being of firefighters. By focusing on both the physical and mental health of those who serve in these critical roles, we can ensure they are better equipped to handle the demands of the job—today and in the future.
The road ahead is clear: wellness should be at the forefront of fire station design, and as more departments begin to embrace these principles, we can look forward to safer, healthier, and more sustainable environments for our first responders.
As both an interior designer and a firefighter, I have a unique perspective on how station design directly impacts health and performance. If you’re looking to transform a fire station into a more wellness-focused, efficient space, I’d love to collaborate.
Let’s build safer, healthier fire stations—one design at a time.
The Importance of Wellness in Firefighting
Firefighting is an incredibly demanding profession, both mentally and physically. Firefighters regularly face high-stress situations, long shifts, and hazardous environments that take a toll on their health. The physical demands of the job—from lifting heavy equipment to enduring extreme conditions—can lead to long-term injuries. In fact, Canadian firefighters have a significantly higher risk of developing work-related cancer, with 86% of occupational fatality claims for firefighters linked to cancer between 2005 and 2016 Canada.ca.
Simultaneously, the emotional strain of responding to life-threatening situations and witnessing traumatic events can lead to mental health challenges, including PTSD, anxiety, and burnout. Studies suggest that approximately 20% of firefighters experience symptoms of PTSD, and many face heightened rates of depression and anxiety compared to the general population frontiersin.org.
Given these challenges, it’s clear that fire stations—where firefighters spend a considerable amount of time—should be designed with wellness in mind. Unfortunately, many fire stations are still primarily utilitarian spaces, designed with functionality in mind but neglecting the well-being of the people who work in them. Often, they lack features that could support mental and physical recovery, such as designated spaces for rest, relaxation, and rehabilitation.
A Personal Perspective on Fire Station Design
As a volunteer firefighter, I’ve seen firsthand how station design can impact our ability to recover from the rigors of the job. I remember one particular call, freshly graduated from the program and after hours of physically and mentally demanding work, we returned to the station for a Critical Incident Stress Management debrief. We pulled chairs from a stack, arranging them in a circle in our training room, doing our best to process what had just happened. While the conversation and support from my crew were invaluable, the space itself wasn’t designed for recovery. It was functional but not particularly comfortable, and the blazing lights made it feel like an interrogation space making it harder to fully decompress before heading home.
This isn’t a criticism of any one station—it’s a common reality. Many fire stations have been designed with efficiency as the priority, and while that’s essential, the need for intentional spaces that support firefighter recovery is often overlooked. Over time, I’ve realized that thoughtful design can make a real difference in how firefighters rest, reset, and prepare for the next call.
Designing for Wellness: The Need for a Shift in Approach
The current state of fire station design no longer meets the needs of modern firefighters, especially when considering long-term health and well-being. It’s time to rethink how these spaces are built—not just for functionality, but for holistic wellness.
For volunteer fire stations, where firefighters arrive on call rather than staying overnight, one of the most important design elements is clear, efficient movement through the space. Volunteer firefighters need to respond quickly, which means an unobstructed pathway from the entrance to gear storage, fire trucks, and the exit is critical. Sounds obvious, right? Unfortunately, many stations that started with good intentions have accumulated years of clutter, slowly creeping into those critical pathways.
For full-time fire stations, the challenge shifts to supporting recovery and mental decompression between calls. Applying human-centered design principles, such as ergonomics and biophilic elements, can reduce stress, improve physical health, and enhance focus during emergency response situations.
Lighting the way to Mental and Physical Recovery
A critical yet often overlooked aspect of fire station design is lighting. Thoughtful lighting design can significantly impact mental and physical recovery, setting the tone for different areas within the station. Bright, energizing lighting is essential in active zones like apparatus bays and fitness areas, while soft, calming lighting in rest spaces helps firefighters decompress between calls.
Natural light is particularly beneficial. Studies show that exposure to natural light reduces stress, improves mental clarity, and supports circadian rhythm alignment—essential for firefighters who operate on irregular schedules. A combination of well-placed windows, skylights, and artificial lighting that mimics natural daylight can enhance the station’s overall atmosphere, fostering both alertness and relaxation as needed.
For example, decompression spaces should feature dimmable, warm lighting to ease the transition from high-stress calls to recovery mode. Meanwhile, training and fitness areas benefit from more intense lighting to promote focus and energy. By integrating biophilic design principles and prioritizing lighting solutions that support firefighter wellness, stations can become spaces that not only serve operational needs but also actively contribute to mental and physical well-being.
Case Study: Marion Fire Station No. 1 – Prioritizing Mental Health in Design
The Marion Fire Station No. 1, designed by OPN Architects, is a 21,200-square-foot facility that integrates biophilic design principles to enhance firefighter wellness. With full-height glass doors, a green roof, and natural wood materials, the space fosters a connection to nature while maintaining functionality.
Key features include a history wall to reinforce department pride, strategic decontamination areas to reduce exposure to carcinogens, and training-integrated elements like a hose-drying tower and ice rescue pond. The living quarters, wrapped in glass with exposed wood ceilings, incorporate circadian rhythm-based lighting and escalating alarms to minimize sleep disruption.
However, while the station excels in many areas, some relaxation spaces lack comfortable, long-term seating options. This highlights a key challenge: balancing operational efficiency with comfort in wellness-oriented design
Prioritizing Wellness in Fire Station Design
Firefighter wellness is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Firefighters put their lives on the line every day, facing extreme physical and mental challenges that take a toll on their well-being. As we’ve seen, the current state of fire station design often fails to support the needs of those who work in these spaces. It’s essential that we shift from seeing fire stations as mere functional utility buildings to viewing them as spaces that promote recovery, health, and long-term resilience.
Through careful attention to ergonomic design, dedicated wellness areas, and thoughtful space planning, we can create fire stations that not only serve their operational purpose but also contribute to the overall well-being of firefighters. By focusing on both the physical and mental health of those who serve in these critical roles, we can ensure they are better equipped to handle the demands of the job—today and in the future.
The road ahead is clear: wellness should be at the forefront of fire station design, and as more departments begin to embrace these principles, we can look forward to safer, healthier, and more sustainable environments for our first responders.
As both an interior designer and a firefighter, I have a unique perspective on how station design directly impacts health and performance. If you’re looking to transform a fire station into a more wellness-focused, efficient space, I’d love to collaborate.
Let’s build safer, healthier fire stations—one design at a time.
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