6 fire stations could close ahead of Houston firefighter layoffs
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As the city braces for as many as 375 Houston firefighter layoffs, a list of possible station closures has been prepared.
According to the firefighter's union president Marty Lancton, six stations face potential closure. Two others would lose the aerial ladder to another location.
While it would save some money, the driving force according to ABC13 sources, would be the loss of people to staff the stations. Three hundred seventy-five firefighters is just under 10 percent of Houston's uniformed fire service.
The stations on the list for possible closure are:
- Station 41 - 805 Pearl
- Station 57 - 13602 Memorial
- Station 63 - 5626 Will Clayton Drive
- Station 66 - 5800 Teague
- Station 72 - 17401 Saturn Lane
- Station 104 - 910 Forest Cove Drive
Station 20 and Station 7 may also remove their ladder trucks, but remain open.
The closure of these fire stations means longer response times to local calls of emergencies.
Through the mayor's office, Fire Chief Sam Pena said there is no final list of closures.
Layoffs would go into effect at the beginning of July.
Sources tell ABC13 ambulances are not likely to be taken out of service, just relocated from the potentially closed stations.
Any negotiated implementation of Prop B could alter the necessity to close locations.
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