The $3M for Repairs at Columbus, OH, Fire Stations Not Enough, Some Say
Although Columbus officials approved nearly $3 million to fix major issues at several fire stations, including leaking roofs and mold, some say that's not enough.
“It’s like the fire department needs surgery and we’re putting a band-aid on it. It's insulting to the firefighters and the citizens of Columbus who paid their taxes to not have this happen. And there's so many fire departments that are just falling apart," Kayleigh Smith told WSYX.
She saw the conditions in one station when she visited her father, now a retired captain.
"...There’d be mold and water everywhere with ceilings falling apart. It’s just not right. CFD is not the priority. The city cares more about developing houses and getting a soccer team."
To draw attention to the ongoing atmopshere at city fire stations, she established a social media page, 'CFDuct Tape.'
Reporters who visited Station 19 saw cracks that prevented a bay door from opening with beams holding it up.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.