Structural and health concerns at a New York fire station are forcing a department to temporarily relocate its firefighters.
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said the Station 4 relocation will be done while overdue repairs are made to the firehouse, Mount Vernon Patch reports. An online video tour of the station showed some of the issues plaguing the building, such as mold, water damage, ceiling holes and other problems.
"The structural integrity of this building has been well-documented and compromised since 2008," Patterson-Howard said. "Where temporary fixes were installed at all, no significant repairs have been performed in the past 13 years."
Repairs weren't the only reason for the temporary relocation. The safety of the firefighters stationed at the firehouse also was a consideration.
"The union was concerned about the stability and conditions of the firehouse along with the health problems it could cause the firefighters," Mount Vernon Fire Union President Kevin Holt said. "This temporary move will have a long-term effect on addressing our concerns."
Station 4 firefighters will first move to Station 3 until a temporary facility can be arranged. EMS crews will be posted in locations around the city in order to maintain response times.
The repairs to the station will be paid for with federal funds from the $3.5 million American Rescue Plan.
