Port of Long Beach Fireboat Station No. 20

To enhance port safety and ensure business continuity, Port of Long Beach has constructed the new Fireboat Station No. 20 at Berth D50. This state-of-the-art facility comprises a LEED Gold-certified two-story Fire Station Building and a 75-foot-tall Boat Bay to house the new Fireboat 20 (Protector). Fireboat Station No. 20 is more extensively equipped than a neighborhood fire station due to the need for both landside and waterside response capabilities. The facility integrates technologies for fireboat operations, such as state-of-the-art communication systems, ship-to-shore power, ventilation systems, and vessel maintenance equipment. This presentation, which will be given jointly by Miguel Hernandez (Manager of Engineering Technology, POLB) and Milind Desai (Vice President, Jacobs) will provide an overview of the Fireboat Station facility, the multifaceted design and construction challenges, and the strategies employed for selecting and designing key components.

Presenter Bio: Miguel Hernandez, PE, M.ASCE, ENV SP, CPE

Miguel Hernandez is the Manager of Engineering Technology within the Engineering Design Division at the Port of Long Beach (POLB). He is a registered Professional Engineer with the State of California and has a bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University. He has more than 30 years in the engineering profession coupled with engineering related technologies such as GIS, CAD, GPS, and others. He leads five diverse engineering sections that include Geographic Information Systems, Specifications, Railroad, Electrical, and CAD/Technology to work on innovative and challenging projects. He has supported several major POLB projects that include: serving as Design Manager for POLB’s Fireboat Station No. 20, Fourth Track at Ocean Blvd – a key precursor project necessary prior to commencing rail construction for the Pier B Rail Program, supporting the early-stage engineering work for the Offshore Wind Facility (Pier Wind), leading state-of-the-art Zero Emissions/Electrical Projects, and also pioneered and established the first On-call Emergency/Non-emergency Wet Utilities Specifications. He is also participating in POLB’s initiative to establish an Enterprise Asset Management System that was initiated in mid-2023.

Presenter Bio: Milind Desai, PE, SE

Milind Desai is a Vice President at Jacobs, where he serves as the Ports and Maritime Leader for California. With over 30 years of experience, he has managed large and complex projects encompassing all aspects of port design and construction. His expertise includes terminal redevelopment, automated cargo terminals, marine construction, seismic retrofits, bridges, and wharf upgrades. Milind has successfully delivered significant projects for the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, and the US Navy. He holds a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Bombay, India. Milind is both a Registered Professional Engineer and a Registered Structural Engineer in the State of California.

Event Venue

The Reef On The Water, 880 Harbor Scenic Drive, Long Beach, United States