Alexandria residents are upset that their new $15 million fire station is only home to an EMS crew. And it's expected to be that way for some time.
Fire Station 210 opened last week in the city's southwest neighbor to increase fire protection, which currently has a 10 minute response time, according to the Washington Post.
“How can we build a $15 million fire station in the most under-served part of the city and then supposedly have no funds to staff or equip it?” activist Don Buch wrote on a petition, signed by over 250 residents. “Can you imagine Jefferson Houston [School] opening and the community being told there is no money to hire/pay teachers? Or we can’t afford any books for a new library?”
When the station design was created, the city planned to transfer a company from another station, but neighbors complained until the city agreed to leave that crew in their station.
Alexandria Fire Chief Robert Dubé said the engine that's parked at Station 210 is to be used for training.
He told the newspaper that , if he can secure funding, he'd have a crew in the station by December 2016.
“This is not over yet,” said Redella S. Pepper (D), the longest-serving council member. “It’s an embarrassment to be opening a fire station without firefighters there. We’re going to have to find a way to fund it that won’t break the budget.”
Dubé said that if the city doesn't hire new personnel, it might be five years until the station is staffed by firefighters.
