As part of a cost-cutting measure to address a significant budget shortfall, the city of Oakland intends to temporarily close two fire stations beginning on Monday.
Fire Chief Damon Covington stated at a press conference on Friday that the city will save roughly $5 million by closing Stations 25 and 28 in the Oakland Hills. Residents who reside in the stations’ service areas are concerned that the closures would have disastrous effects.
Nenita Tadeo, who has lived in Oakland for a long time, is upset at the news. She gave thanks to the firefighters at Station 28 and the surrounding communities for preserving her home and community from the October 18 Keller Fire, which forced evacuations and damaged other buildings.
“We are fortunate, but I won’t call it that. “We are fortunate to have the firefighters who saved our house again,” Tadeo remarked.
Her neighbor’s home sustained significant damage from the Keller Fire. All Tadeo lost was her fence. However, she is concerned that response times will be significantly longer after Station 28 closes.
“I’m pretty upset about it, also because what if there’s another fire?” Tadeo was asked.
There are other issues than fires. Frederick Perry and his neighbors are concerned about medical emergencies. Perry claimed to have suffered a serious fall inside his house, which is close to Station 28, approximately six months ago.
Firefighters from the firehouse hurried him to the hospital, according to the 74-year-old.
“Every second matters. Up here, they are the emergency response. Many elderly people reside up here. And it might literally mean the difference between life and death,” Perry warned.
Covington acknowledged the dire circumstances. However, for the next six months, he must temporarily shut down the two stations. Because of the reduction, Station 10, which has already been closed, will continue to be closed in addition to Stations 25 and 28.
As usual, we’re going to arrive as soon as possible. It has no effect on how we function. It changes the amount of time that it takes for us to get to that call,” said Covington. “Our delivery is likely to be delayed. However, an engine will arrive when you dial 911.
The 24 firemen who worked at Stations 25 and 28 will be moved to other fire stations in the city, according to the chief. In July, just in time for the wildfire season, the chief intends to reactivate the two stations.
Depending on the financial circumstances, he said, the fire service might have to brown out other stations later this summer.
“I’ve been instructing people to attempt holding their breath for ten or fifteen minutes to see whether they can do so. Because that might be how long they’ll be waiting for a fire engine to show up if they have a stroke or heart attack or they need CPR. And that’s a reality,” said Seth Olyer, vice president of Oakland Firefighters Local 55.
The fire chief could not say how much slower for the response times since there’ll be so many factors involved.
Tadeo just hopes it won’t result in people dying or losing their homes.
“Fire stations are really necessary for the community,” said Tadeo.
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.