OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — Oakland firefighters are speaking out against the temporary closure of two fire stations, saying that it endangers public safety.
Starting Jan. 6, Station 25, located at 2795 Butters Drive, and Station 28, at 4615 Grass Valley Road, are now temporarily closed.
Oakland firefighters gathered on the steps of City Hall on Monday morning to demand that the city re-open the stations. “Show that the city’s budget prioritizes the lives of citizens of this great city,” said Oakland firefighter Seth Olyer.
Oakland is facing a budget deficit of around $129 million. The city was counting on the sale of the Oakland Coliseum site to fill that budget gap, but the deal has yet to go through.
The city is making significant cuts to services. The police department and fire department are, by far, Oakland’s largest expenses. Station 10, which is already shut down, will remain shuttered.
The fire department worries that the closures put the people who live near those stations at risk.
“You will not have a fire engine at your doorstep in four minutes like you would have just yesterday,” said Olyer. “You will not quickly have firefighter paramedics to help you or your family. What could have been a small blaze or a small fire near your house will become a conflagration, leaving tragedy its wake.”
The firefighters called on the City of Oakland and Alameda County to quickly complete the sale of the Coliseum site and restore services.
Added Olyer, “The moment the ink dries on the Coliseum sale, to immediately stop these dangerous and reckless closures that threaten all of Oakland.”
Fire stations 25 and 28 were chosen to be temporarily closed because they tend to be less busy during the winter and spring months. Station 21, which is about four miles away, will handle the bulk of their calls for service.
Stations 25 and 28 could reopen later this year. However, if Oakland is still facing budget problems, the city has said that other stations may need to close.
The personnel who work at fire houses 25 and 28 have been temporarily reassigned to other stations.
