Two fire stations were temporarily closed Monday morning due to Oakland’s budget deficit, which is now directly affecting public safety.
For the next six months, the Oakland Hills’ two fire stations—Station No. 25 on Butters Drive and Station No. 28 on Grass Valley Road—will be closed.
Despite the city’s $13 million budget deficit, Oakland firemen staged a rally at City Hall Monday prior to the first city council meeting of the year to urge council members to reopen the closed stations.
According to Oakland Firefighters Local 55 members, removing these stations might result in emergency response times for certain households of over ten minutes. They pointed out that a house fire can become life-threatening in two minutes and that brain damage from oxygen deprivation can begin in six minutes.
According to Firefighters Local 55, it has started a campaign and website called Fire Safe Oakland to give information on the shutdown of fire stations.
According to Fire Chief Damon Covington, the city will save almost $5 million by closing Stations 25 and 28 on Friday. The changes will also keep the already-closed Station 10 on Santa Clara Avenue in the Grand Lake region of the city closed.
On Friday, Oakland Firefighters Local 55 vice president Seth Olyer stated, “I’ve been telling folks to hold their breath for 10 to 15 minutes because that’s how much longer they may have to wait.” “That’s the reality.”
According to Covington, there are simply too many variables to determine how response times may be impacted.
Covington declared, “We’re going to get here as quickly as we can,” “It alters the time it takes us to respond to that call, but it has no bearing on how we work. We will have delays in our delivery. However, you can be confident that an engine will arrive when you dial 911.
There will be a relocation of the 24 firefighters from Stations 25 and 28 to different stations throughout the city. In July, right before the wildfire season, Covington said he hopes to reactivate the two stations.
Unfortunately, Oakland will have to decide how much to spend on life-saving resources versus cost-cutting measures in the coming weeks.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.