 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
Three P.G. Fire Stations Face Service Cuts
posted 08/02/09
5:41 pm
The department's Chillum station is converting to an ambulance-only facility and Capitol Heights and Riverdale Heights stations will be staffed with volunteers only. The changes will take place Sunday.
The 1,800-member department is facing a hard financial truth. The department's $110 million budget is nearly $2 million less than last year.
"We have the second most fire stations in the region and its not necessary to staff all of those stations," said Chief Eugene Jones, Prince George's County Fire and EMS.
In addition to the closings, there will be no overtime and no new hires for the department until June of 2010.
"That is one thing that we do need in the community. We need experienced firefighters," said Phillip Back, Capitol Heights resident.
"We have about 22 fire stations within a mile and a half of each other and we can no longer afford to staff that way," the chief said.
But the closings and cuts have neighbors concerned.
"I fear and suspect that houses will be gutted and live lost," said Imani Kazana, a Chillum resident.
The Calverton station which was slated to become a Hazmat team facility will remain a neighborhood firehouse.
Fire Chief Jones says that nearby fire stations will pick up the slack and that safety will not be compromised.
read more stories in Local News
Latest Comments on "Three P.G. Fire Stations Face Service Cuts"
posted by: Pachacutec on 7:28 am on 08/03/09
It is really sad that politicians can always find money for their own pet projects, for sports stadiums, that sort of thing, but when it comes to emergency services and schools, they always plead poverty.
ABC 7 Talkback - Story Comments
Not a member yet? Click Here to sign up.
Please leave your comments below:
Messages that harass, abuse or threaten other members; have obscene or otherwise objectionable content; have spam, commercial or
advertising content or inappropriate links may be removed and may result in the loss of your posting privileges. Please do not post any
private information unless you want it to be available publicly. Never assume that you are completely anonymous and cannot be identified by your posts.
More News and Videos
© 2009 WJLA-TV
The Associated Press may have contributed to this article.
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
ABC 7 News to leave comments on news stories.