Dozens of Dallas are facing uncomfortably hot work conditions as at least five stations deal with air-conditioning problems.
“It affects their sleep when they do have a little bit of time to sleep at night," Jim McDade, head of the city's firefighters union, told KTVT-TV. "Who can sleep when it’s 85, 90 degrees inside the fire station? It affects every aspect of their life without a doubt."
In one case, the department's Station 33 has been broken for roughly six weeks, and that has had the firehouse seeing inside temperatures in the 80s. Portable cooling units, which cost about $500 apiece daily, were brought in, but they haven't been effective.
McDade claims the current problem is the result of improper maintenance by the city. He also blames city officials for not then fixing the units when they do break.
“They don’t seem to put a priority on it or understand the situation at all,” he said.
According to the department, the city has been made aware of the problem and is working on repairing Station 33's air conditioning. A replacement should be in place by the fall.
"(W)e will continuously monitor the situation to ensure the members of the station are provided the most ideal living conditions," the department stated.
