ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) -- Officials said they may close three fire stations and build two new stations elsewhere to better protect the spreading central Indiana city.
The number of firefighters also would be reduced from 130 to 120 by retirements over the next two years, The Herald Bulletin reported Wednesday.
Mayor Kevin Smith said the plan was designed to accommodate changes in the city over the past several decades and to anticipate possible economic development and annexations.
``Anderson _ although it's lost 20,000 people, give or take_ has expanded its geographic boundaries,'' he said.
The city about 30 miles northeast of Indianapolis had about 78,000 residents in 1970 and about 58,000 in 2003, according to census figures.
Smith's administration wants to use ambulance fees to build a new station at the Flagship Enterprise Center, a high-tech industrial park on the city's west side, and another station on the city's south side.
``Businesses looking to locate at the Flagship want to know where the nearest fire station is located,'' said Fire Chief J.R. Rosencrans.
