A Durham city planner said the city should halt plans to develop the city's southeast side until the fire department has enough staffing and equipment to protect it.
Planning Director Sara Young told city officials that the 700 homes that are currently planned will not be adequately protected by Durham Fire Department's current staffing.
"The issue really is that another fire station is needed to adequately serve this area," Young told the city council, according to WRAL.com. "...the Durham Fire Department has significant concerns about not having the infrastructure and personnel in place ... an additional Ladder truck with responders to staff that unit would be required to meet the needs of this area.”
"I’m certainly not going to put housing where the fire department says they can’t service it," Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton said in response to Young's comments.
City Manager Wanda Page said the city has planned for additional resources already, adding "It is unfortunate that the assessment of fire service capabilities in a memo about the proposed Kemp Road development left an inaccurate impression of our ability to serve growth. The Durham Fire Department is prepared to support current and planned growth in this area."
She noted that two existing fire stations in Southeast Durham were designed for additional personnel and equipment in the future.
