11945 SW 70th, Tigard OR 97223

Project Update - COMPLETED

On October 25th, TVF&R’s new Command and Business Operations Center opened for business at 11945 SW 70th in Tigard. The new central location will allow the District to better serve its community, nine partner cities, and other government agencies. In addition, the new site provides direct access to the regional transportation system and space to support both current and future command and business operations.

The relocation of the Command and Business Operations Center was one of many projects identified in TVF&R’s 2006 bond measure. The bond measure was supported by 68.6% of voters and costs the average taxpayer approximately $29 each year. For more details on TVF&R’s bond projects, visit the bond project webpage.

• The Need to Relocate
• Building Acquisition
• Command and Core Business Functions

The Need to Relocate
TVF&R’s previous Command and Business Operations Center in Aloha was originally built in 1979 to support five fire stations serving approximately 120,000 residents in unincorporated areas in eastern Washington County (75 square miles). Today, that facility supports 21 fire stations serving 440,000 residents in nine cities and unincorporated portions of three counties (216 square miles).

The Aloha facility is located on a site that could potentially be annexed in the future to Hillsboro, a city not served by TVF&R (consistent with local government agreements (SB122/2003 Hillsboro Urban Service Agreement).

Acquisition
TVF&R’s original 2006 capital improvement plan was to co-locate CBOC with a station in Wilsonville to save on property and construction costs. However, a substantial drop in commercial real estate prices in late 2008 allowed the District to acquire a new, centrally-located building in Tigard for significantly less money than originally projected. The building is located on two acres and was purchased for $8.8 million.

Command and Core Business Functions
TVF&R’s command and core business functions based at this facility include: command staff, emergency management, information technology and communications, logistics, GIS and data analysis, finance, human resources and the District’s Central Integrated Operations team. This team manages the emergency operations (fire, EMS, etc.) and community services, education, prevention and preparedness programs for an area served by six of TVF&R’s 21 fire stations, including those that serve the greater Tigard area.

The District’s Central Integrated Operations Division is also based at CBOC. This team manages the emergency operations (fire, EMS, etc.) and community services, education, prevention and preparedness programs for the area served by six of the District’s 21 fire stations (Stations: 33, 35, 50, 51, 53, and 69).  

The facility has a multi-purpose/training room which will function as an Emergency Operations Center for coordinating and directing operations—and working closely with other local governments and service providers—in a major emergency or disaster. Unlike our previous facility, the new Command and Business Operations Center is considered an essential facility able to function at a minimum for 78 hours at three-quarters capacity on backup power. The room will also host the District’s Board of Directors meeting each month.  

Features of the Building

• Unlike TVF&R’s previous building, CBOC has been built to essential facility standards , with the expectation that it will operate for a minimum of 30 years. Essential facilities are buildings that support functions necessary for post-earthquake response and recovery. These facilities typically include: police stations, fire stations, 9-1-1 centers, EOCs, hospitals, schools, power generating facilities (and backup generating facilities), major hazmat sites, airport control towers, etc.
• The building includes seismic upgrades that meet current codes to withstand a major earthquake (IBC Type IV Building). The building’s steel frame, lateral bracing system called BRB (Buckling Restrained Braces) includes large steel tubes designed to ‘dampen’ the building’s movement during an earthquake.
• Additionally, to ensure continuity of emergency response and business operations in a disaster, the building has upgraded and backup electrical, data, and HVAC systems. The facility also has an on-site electrical generation plant (two 500kw generators and a 4,100 fuel tank) to provide at least 78 hours of standby power, ensuring the District’s computer server and communications equipment (radio, ham, handheld, etc.) continue to operate during a major emergency or disaster.
• The three-story building has minimal hard walls (offices) and standardized workstations (cubicles) to ensure optimum flexibility in the future. Minimal hard walls and lower cubicle partitions also allow for better utilization of natural (day) lighting and more uniform heating and cooling in the building. Overhead self-dimming light fixtures will also contribute to a more comfortable work environment and energy savings.
• In addition to staff workspaces, the building includes meeting rooms, a research library, common work and storage areas, break rooms, and a workout room.