S TO R A G E 101 The stuff to know to do storage right
PUBLIC
SAFETY
TABL E O F CO NT E NT S Introduction 01 – Applications 02 – Planning and Design 03 – Installation 04 – Ongoing Relationships 05 – We’re Here to Help
PUBLIC SAFETY STORAGE 101 You joined public safety to help people, not to organize storage closets. But whether you’re processing evidence, prepping a lab bench, restocking a rig, examining a case, or securing a cell block, there’s a lot to keep track of. Evidence, PPE, personal gear, weapons, and medical supplies all need somewhere to go, and quickly. Disorganization in public safety workspaces can be disastrous. It could, quite literally, make a life-and-death difference. At the very least, not being able to locate evidence, medical supplies, or a piece of inmate property could lead to sticky legal issues. At the same time, public safety agencies can be challenged by tight budgets and compact spaces. Sometimes departments work out of the basement of an old town hall. The location is great, but storage is overflowing. Patterson Pope focuses on making STUFF simple. This eBook covers what that looks like across public safety: law enforcement, crime labs, fire rescue and EMS, coroner’s offices, and correctional facilities each have their own storage challenges, and their own solutions. By the end, you’ll understand how the right storage can help you stay ready, no matter which discipline you’re in.
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two departments, labs, or offices store the A P P L I CAT I O NS No same stuff, but they all need it secure, accessible,
CORONER’S OFFICES CRIME LABS CORRECTIONS FIRE RESCUE & EMS LAW ENFORCEMENT
and organized. A coroner’s exam room, a crime lab bench, a cell block, a fire station or EMT bay, an evidence room; each plays by its own rules. The problem’s the same. What solves it isn’t. Find your evidence, gear, samples, property, and records solutions below.
CORONER’S OFFICE A single case can leave a coroner’s office holding tissue samples in formaldehyde, bone fragments boxed for the lab, instruments that need to stay sterile, and paperwork that may need to hold up in court years later. None of it follows the same rules for how it should be stored. Implementing a storage system that takes advantage of the best solutions available can: + Protect the chain of custody + Keep samples preserved and identifiable + Streamline the exam room + Support a growing caseload + Maximize space and budget
APPLICATIONS: + Biological & Tissue Samples: Sensitive materials need to stay identifiable, preserved, and easy to retrieve, with controlled access and refrigeration built in. + Instruments & Equipment: Everyday exam tools need to stay visible and within reach. Forensic equipment needs sterile storage that keeps it protected and out of the way. + Medical Supplies: One month, it’s boxes of gloves stacked three deep. The next it’s drug-testing kits taking over every surface. Different supplies call for different solutions. + PPE Storage: Assigned gear and shared supplies need to stay separate, so equipment stays ready, and stock stays visible. LEARN MORE Click here to learn more about our Coroner’s Office Storage solutions
CORONER’S OFFICE STORAGE OPTIONS:
Stainless Steel Cabinets stand up to formaldehyde and other harsh chemicals, keeping forensic tools and samples protected and contained.
Static Shelving keeps boxed specimen containers, everyday tools, and supplies visible and exactly where the team left them.
Evidence Lockers step in when a sample needs refrigeration, restricted access, or a documented chain of custody.
Personal Storage Lockers provide each team member with a dedicated spot for their own protective gear.
Modular Casework builds instrument storage directly into the exam room workspace.
High-Density Mobile Shelving lets specimen, instrument, and supply storage keep growing without taking up more floor space.
Cabinets give shared PPE and select supplies a contained, controlled spot.
CRIME LABS A crime lab’s work is only as strong as its APPLICATIONS: + Lab Workstations & Processing Areas: The work evidence. Instruments, reagents, case files, happens at the bench. Modular casework and heavyand PPE all compete for the same bench duty workstations enable analysis while optimizing space, and the caseload doesn’t shrink storage. to make room. The lab needs storage + Instruments & Lab Equipment: Firearms examiners, built around techs receiving, prepping, toxicologists, and trace analysts each use different analyzing, documenting, and reviewing all instruments, but all of them need equipment close to sorts of evidence throughout a shift. the work and ready for what’s next. Implementing a storage system that takes advantage of the best solutions available can: + Protect evidence integrity + Free up bench space + Streamline the workflow + Keep pace with growing caseloads + Maximize space and budget
LEARN MORE Click here to learn more about our Crime Labs Storage options
+ Reference & Comparison Collections: The reference library of fibers, glass, paint, and known samples never stops growing. Keep up with the catalog with storage that lets analysts access exact matches on demand, no matter how large the collection gets. + Trace Evidence & Lab Samples: A single case can generate slides, vials, and packets by the dozen, each one easy to lose track of on its own. Disorganized storage makes it worse when a case needs the one sample nobody can find. + Reagents, Supplies & PPE: Reagents and everyday supplies don’t move at the same pace. Gloves and swabs get grabbed constantly. Reserve stock can sit for weeks. Each needs its own kind of storage. + Casework Records & Documentation: Case packets and quality records pile up almost as fast as results, whether they’re pulled weekly or just before an audit.
CRIME LABS STORAGE OPTIONS:
Modular Casework builds storage directly into workstations and prep areas, keeping instruments and supplies at the point of use.
High-Density Mobile Shelving gives instrument inventories and reference collections room to grow without touching bench space.
Heavy-Duty Workstations bring chemical-resistant, ESD-safe surfaces to prep work that needs more than a counter.
Stainless Steel Cabinets stand up to the chemical resistance and constant cleaning lab work demands.
Modular Drawer Cabinets give vials, slides, fiber samples, and reference materials their own labeled compartment.
Rotary File Cabinets pack dense, quick-access filing into a fraction of the footprint for high-volume case records.
Static Shelving keeps everyday supplies and labeled bins visible and within reach.
Personal Storage Lockers give analysts a dedicated spot for PPE that isn’t shared.
CORRECTIONS A correctional facility doesn’t get to pick and choose what comes through the door, or how much of it. Inmate property, records, weapons, and medical supplies all compete for space that’s usually tight to begin with, and the population doesn’t shrink to make room. The facility needs storage built around intake, daily operations, and security, all at the same time. Implementing a storage system that takes advantage of the best solutions available can: + Protect the chain of custody + Keep inmate property secured and organized + Streamline intake and release + Support a growing population + Maximize space and budget
APPLICATIONS: + Records Storage: Personnel files, incident reports, and inmate records all need to stay organized and easy to pull, whether they’re active or long since closed. + Inmate Property Storage: Personal belongings need to stay tracked from intake to release, without turning into a guessing game every time someone asks for their stuff back. + Handgun Storage: Officers checking in their sidearms before entering the facility need a fast, secure place to do it, every time, without exception.
+ Locker Room Storage: A locker room is part of how officers start and end a shift, and it matters just as much for morale as it does for organization. + Infirmary Storage: Medications, tests, and equipment all need to be exactly where staff expect them, because in an infirmary, time and access matter. + Armory Storage: Rifles, handguns, and ammunition each need their own dedicated, secure spot, with nothing left to chance.
LEARN MORE Click here to learn more about our Corrections Storage solutions
CORRECTIONS STORAGE OPTIONS:
Personal Storage Lockers give every officer a secure, individual space that’s built to take a beating.
FrameWRX Bin Shelving keeps infirmary supplies visible, sorted, and easy to restock.
Hanging Bags keep folded clothing and soft property from turning into a wrinkled mess.
Wall Mounted Gun Lockers give incoming handguns a fast, secure spot before officers enter the facility.
Universal Weapons Racks keep rifles, handguns, and ammunition organized and secure inside the armory.
High-Density Mobile Shelving stores growing records, property, and armory stock without asking the room for more square footage.
Rotary File Cabinets keep personnel and inmate records compact and easy to pull.
Modular Casework builds structure into the infirmary around its actual workflow.
4-Post Shelving gives bulk inmate property a stable, adjustable home.
FIRE RESCUE & EMS A call doesn’t wait for gear to be found or a bay to be cleared. The truck bay and the ambulance dock get most of the attention, but bunks, admin offices, medical supply rooms, and common areas matter just as much to station readiness. Storage here has to work the same way at 3 p.m. as it does at 3 a.m. Implementing a storage system that takes advantage of the best solutions available can: + Keep gear ready to grab + Separate contaminated gear from living space + Streamline shift changes + Free up the bay + Maximize space and budget
LEARN MORE Click here to learn more about our Fire Rescue & EMS Storage options
APPLICATIONS: + Personal Storage & Bunk Rooms: For the length of a shift, the station is home. Personal lockers give crews a space that’s comfortable and secure, even when the room’s often left open behind them mid-call. + Gear Storage & PPE: Some gear needs to be grabbed in seconds. Some just needs to stay out of the way. None of it should share space with where the crew sleeps and eats. + Apparatus Bay & Equipment: The bay is more traffic zone than warehouse, so gear stays off the floor and walls until it’s needed, and nothing slows down a rig pulling out. + Administration Spaces: Personnel records, inspection files, training documentation, and supplies all need a place that stays organized, so nothing gets lost in the shuffle. + Common Areas: Kitchens, break rooms, and laundry are where a crew spends all their time between calls. Storage here cuts the clutter to add comfort and support camaraderie. + Medical Supply & Equipment: Fire crews are often the first to start care, so knowing what’s used, what’s low, and where the replacement lives matters here as much as it does on an ambulance. + Narcotics & Controlled Substances: Controlled substances call for a tighter system: defined locations, controlled access, and storage that supports accurate documentation instead of replacing it.
FIRE RESCUE & EMS STORAGE OPTIONS:
Personal Storage Lockers give every crew member a secure, individual space that’s built to take a beating.
Tactical Gear Lockers keep ready-to-go gear staged and separated from PPE stored for contamination control.
Modular Casework adapts bunk rooms, admin spaces, kitchens, and supply rooms as staffing and space needs change.
High-Density Mobile Shelving stores growing gear, records, and medical inventory without asking the room for more square footage.
Bin Shelving & Workbenches combine to give small parts and equipment maintenance their own fixed spot in the bay.
Modular Drawers & Carts bring frequently used medical supplies and controlled substances closer to the point of need.
Fire Hose Racks keep hoses staged, drained, and ready to grab.
Rotary File Cabinets keep personnel and inspection files organized and easy to pull.
Wide-Span Shelving stores bulky bay equipment without stealing vehicle clearance.
LAW ENFORCEMENT Evidence, property, records, and weapons all pass through a department at some point, and each one carries its own kind of risk. Storing it wrong can mean a broken chain of custody, a liability claim, or an audit finding with the department’s name on it. The fix is storage built around how the department works each day, room by room, shift by shift. Implementing a storage system that takes advantage of the best solutions available can: + Protect the chain of custody + Provide full transparency + Streamline the process + Increase productivity + Maximize space and budget
APPLICATIONS: + Evidence Storage: Securing the chain of custody is non-negotiable, whether evidence is dropped off for a day or held for a decade. Pass-through lockers, refrigerated storage, and high-density shelving keep it accessible to authorized personnel only, and organized for whatever the case needs next. + Personal Storage: An officer gears up at the start of a shift and needs somewhere secure to leave everything else behind when it ends. Personal lockers secure uniforms, weapons, and equipment, with ventilation, charging stations, and drying rack configurations built around the job.
+ Inmate Property & Records: Personal belongings and paperwork couldn’t be more different, but losing either one causes the same kind of problem fast. Rotary files, modular drawers, and high-density shelving keep both organized and easy to retrieve. + Weapons & Gear Storage: An armory only works if every weapon has an exact place to be, secure until the moment it’s needed. Wall mounted gun lockers, universal weapons racks, and tactical gear lockers keep every rifle, handgun, and vest right where it should be.
LEARN MORE Click here to learn more about our Law Enforcement Storage solutions
LAW ENFORCEMENT STORAGE OPTIONS:
Pass-Through Evidence Lockers let officers drop off evidence on one side, and technicians retrieve it on the other, without breaking the chain of custody.
Non-Pass-Through Evidence Lockers secure evidence in its own locked space when a two-sided drop-off isn’t needed.
Personal Storage Lockers & Tactical Gear Lockers secure uniforms, duty gear, and body armor between shifts.
High-Density Mobile Shelving compacts long-term evidence, records, and armory stock without asking for more square footage.
Static & Wide-Span Shelving gives evidence and inmate property a fixed spot, including the large, bulky, or oddly-shaped pieces.
Universal Weapons Racks & Wall Mounted Gun Lockers keep handguns, long guns, and ammunition secure and ready.
Refrigerated Lockers keep biological evidence stable from the moment it’s logged.
Rotary File Cabinets keep records and inmate files compact and easy to pull.
Modular Drawer Cabinets keep supplies and gear secure and accessible.
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PL A N N I N G AND D ES I G N
Here’s where you get to the hands-on part of the course. What? You’re not ready to plan and design your own storage? Don’t worry, that’s what the upperclassmen are for! Or, in this case, the storage solution experts. When you work with a partner such as Patterson Pope, the planning and design stage begins with a space survey and assessment. There are no cookie-cutter problems in the world of storage and no one-size-fits-all solutions. Our experts look at: + Access points in the room + ADA considerations + Item weight + Need for security + Code compliance concerns + Floor load + Structural engineering factors + Fire code implications + Sprinkler heads, fire alarm, HVAC placement
“We’re not just trying to pack a lot of stuff in a small space. We’re trying to create a workflow, a really efficient work environment, and a safer workplace.” — Mike Hisman, Director of Planning
Whether working directly with the client or the client’s architect, designer, engineer or contractor, Patterson Pope’s certified planners co-design a customized storage solution. Based on measurements of the available space and inventory of your current storage solutions, our dedicated planners will draw up specs to meet your needs. We want to make the project suit your needs. So, we have revision stages. Our storage specialist brings the designs back to your decision makers to ask for your input before anything is settled and agreed upon.
Space Survey & Analysis
Planning & Design
Ongoing Support
Installation
LEARN MORE Click here to learn more about the P2 Process
All in a Day’s Planning Our planners might get handed detailed, thorough specs from the site visit and consultation with the client. Or they’re given just the bare essentials and carte blanche to find the best solution. Using multiple design tools, the planners then move different storage options around in space to maximize the effectiveness of the storage in the space. They’re not only thinking about aesthetics, but also how the storage solution will be used today — and in the future.
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as the goal of this guide has been to keep IN STAL L AT I O N Just you from having to do the hard work, our certified installers help you avoid the heavy lifting. It’s not just that you don’t have to put heavy storage cabinets or high-density carriages together yourself. We collaborate with your engineers, general contractors and sub-contractors to take the scheduling responsibility off your shoulders. We work out a timeline for product delivery and installation that works with your team’s schedule. Then, when it comes time to install, Patterson Pope brings in pros to do the job right. Our technicians and installation crews are full-time, experienced storage installers, certified with our manufacturers, experienced in applications and have collectively over 100 years of experience in our field. With smart storage solutions, Patterson Pope also has technologists on staff who can troubleshoot the software. Even when it comes to powered lifts and mobile shelving, it is critical that we have people on our team that know and support this technology. Our teams are flexible and work to meet scheduling requests of clients, architects and designers. After hours or on a specified date? We’ll work hard to make that commitment work. We do what it takes to make the sure the project is done right and on time.
OUR We install it right. PROMISE Or we make it right.
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Patterson Pope partners with the best storage system manufacturers. That means you get top quality product and top-of-the-line warranties too. LEARN MORE Click here to learn more about our Business Partners
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Pope doesn’t disappear once the install’s O NG O I N G Patterson done. Consider these our office hours: come back RE L AT I O NS H I P any time for advice, a recommendation, or a fix, long after the last locker’s bolted down.
Our long-term partnership starts with our technical crews offering on-site product training. This makes sure your people know how to use the storage systems we put in place. We’ll also go over the product warranties, service agreements and maintenance contracts. You may not get to fill out a course evaluation on your Patterson Pope engagement, but we’ll still be checking back with you to make sure you’re happy. Our company reputation is on the line. We’ve been doing this for 50 years. We stand by the quality of the products we sell and the care you get working with us.
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WE ’ R E H E R E TO H E L P
With Patterson Pope, you’re buying the whole package. You’re not just getting a storage solution. You’re getting the design, project management, installation and a long-term relationship with a company you can count on. Storage doesn’t have to be an afterthought. Thinking storage upfront in a new building, an expansion or renovation, lets you respond to human need and plan for efficient use of space in a cost-effective way. Oh, and Patterson Pope’s experts are always here to help!
Public Safety can close the case on storage challenges with the solutions in this eBook: an evidence room, a lab bench, a fire station bay, an exam room, a cell block. Whichever one is yours, Patterson Pope builds storage around it. We serve those who serve. And we’re glad to help. Contact us today!
Patterson Pope takes the complicated and makes it simple. Your records, your stuff, your space — all simplified. If it’s in your organization and you can touch it, we help you store it, track it and retrieve it using less space and time than you ever thought possible. Over its decades in the storage business, Patterson Pope has earned an excellent reputation as a committed partner with clients, architects and general contractors by providing expertise — from consultation to implementation — that delivers bottom-line results.
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