Amy Blaisdell
Chief Communications Officer
City of Palm Springs
(760) 323-8250
After more than 70 years, residents, businesses, and visitors can look forward to a new, state-of-the-art Fire Station #1 in downtown Palm Springs following unanimous approval by the Palm Springs City Council Wednesday night of a purchase agreement for the future station site located adjacent to the Town and Country Center on the southwest corner of Andreas Road and North Indian Canyon Drive.
Through extensive outreach, evaluation, and collaboration, the City Council prioritized a site that not only provides the ideal location for rapid emergency response to the downtown core and surrounding neighborhoods, while at the same time preserving 90 much needed and valuable public parking spots. The selected site ensures firefighters can efficiently protect residents, visitors, and businesses while maintaining convenient access and functionality within the heart of downtown Palm Springs. City leaders and the Palm Springs Fire Department worked closely with residents, downtown businesses, and community stakeholders throughout the site selection process to identify the most appropriate location for the future Fire Station #1.
The $4 million purchase agreement represents a major investment in the City’s public safety infrastructure and emergency response capabilities as downtown continues to grow and authorizes the City to acquire the site following extensive evaluation of potential downtown locations and recommendations identified in the City’s 2025 Fire Services Master Plan.
Designed to meet the evolving needs of the Palm Springs business, tourism and hospitality communities, the proposed construction of the new state-of-the-art fire station will allow the Palm Springs Fire Department to better serve the community with modern equipment, improved operational readiness, and expanded capacity, including accommodations for a ladder truck that is needed to serve the growing number of hotels, businesses, and residential developments.
“This is a historic and exciting moment for Palm Springs,” said City Manager Scott Stiles. “As our downtown continues to grow and evolve, a new fire station in this preferred location downtown will ensure our public safety infrastructure keeps pace. The City Council’s approval of this important project positions us to move forward with a modern facility that will serve residents, businesses, and visitors for generations to come.”
The current Fire Station #1, which has served the community for more than seven decades, no longer meets modern seismic, accessibility, safety, or operational standards and has been identified as functionally obsolete. The aging facility also lacks the space and accommodations needed to support today’s fire service workforce, including adequate facilities for women firefighters and a more diverse workforce.
Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado praised the City Council’s leadership and the community’s continued support throughout the process.
“On behalf of the Palm Springs Fire Department, I want to thank the City Council, our community, and the generations of firefighters who have waited decades for this moment,” said Fire Chief Paul Alvarado. “This is truly a win-win for Palm Springs. Our residents, businesses, and visitors will benefit from faster, more effective emergency response, while our firefighters will have a modern, safe, and functional station designed to support their health, wellness, and the needs of today’s diverse workforce. This project represents an important investment in both public safety and the hardworking firefighters who serve our community every day.”
The new fire station is expected to break ground in early 2027. Residents and businesses are encouraged to visit EngagePalmSprings.com for project updates.
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