City Administration and Fire Department Administration have been working to satisfy an accommodation request by female firefighters for separate sleeping and restroom quarters in Fire Stations.  Two stations have been remodeled to provide these accommodations and two more need to be remodeled; Stations 2 and 3.  An invitation to bid was advertised in The Billings Times on May 17 and May 24, 2012, and bids were opened on June 5, 2012.  Staff will make a contract award recommendation at the June 11 meeting. 

Various options for accommodating female firefighters in fire stations were produced by a local architect and reviewed by Fire Chief Dextras.  Where possible, Captains' quarters are utilized for sleeping quarters.  Fire Station 2 will be remodeled to use the Captain's sleeping quarters and a large restroom/shower facility will be split into two restrooms.  At Fire Station 3, a wall will be added in the existing sleeping quarters and in the restroom to make the separate female quarters and facilities.  Tile and other materials are reused in place wherever possible.  Stations 1 and 5 have already been remodeled to provide the female accommodations.                                                                             

These accommodations are being funded by the Public Safety Fund.  A fourth quarter budget amendment may be necessary in order to provide this additional spending authority. 

A recommendation for contract award will be made at the June 11, 2012, council meeting.