Today, a rented mobile home will be moved in behind the fire station so the firefighters can spend their nights there and respond from that station, City Manager Sam Listi said.
Firefighters noticed condensation and discoloration coming from air conditioning vents in the station’s sleeping quarters on Friday. Since then, firefighters have spent from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Central Fire Station using the day room and the kitchen, but have spent their nights with their equipment at the Sparta Road Fire Station.
“We do not have a complete explanation for these conditions, but extensive analysis is under way at this time,” Listi said.
It remained unknown if the discoloration was a type of mold.
An environmental assessment was completed at Central Fire Station on Tuesday, but officials are still awaiting word on the problem and how to solve it. The areas affected involve the converted vehicle bay, now used as sleeping quarters and restrooms for firefighters. These building renovations occurred in late 2004, according to Listi.
Since then, firefighters had noticed a small amount of condensation, but it disappeared with time. Now, with the constant changes in weather, Listi said it could have caused the problem to start again.
“The city’s priorities are to ensure firefighter safety, provide adequate fire department response, identify causes for these building conditions, properly address the repairs, and return Central Fire Station to a fully functional condition as quickly as possible,” Listi said.
