OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — The short-term closures of Oakland Hills Hearth Stations 25 and 28 is a part of Oakland’s try to shut a $129 million greenback deficit.
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On Monday, Jan. 6, the firehouses shall be shuttered for six months till the top of June to assist the Metropolis of Oakland stability its finances. Collectively, the closures are anticipated to save lots of the town $5 million {dollars}.
Hearth Station 25 is situated at 2795 Butters Drive and Hearth Station 28 is at 4615 Grass Valley Street.
Jill Yegian lives across the nook from Oakland Hills Hearth Station 25. “Having this fire station here, it’s small, but it’s mighty, and the people are amazing, and it’s really upsetting,” mentioned Yegian. “The budget in Oakland is obviously in a crisis level, and we really don’t feel like we should be the ones thrown under the bus.”
Oakland Hearth Division Chief Damon Covington mentioned he believes the firehouses marked for closure will trigger the least influence on residents.
“There are no firehouses that we can afford to close,” mentioned OFD Chief Covington. “We need every firehouse we have, and then some. But we feel like we can adequately cover these two firehouses and make sure that our community still receives a high level of service that they’ve become accustomed to.”
Covington mentioned after getting the directive from the town administrator and metropolis council, an evaluation decided that closing Stations 25 and 28, that are much less busy through the winter and spring, would have the least influence on the neighborhood. Station 21, which is centered inside 4 miles of each firehouses, will deal with the majority of 25 and 28’s calls.
However much less influence doesn’t imply no influence.
“There are going to be delays in our delivery, but, when you call 911, an engine is going to show up for sure,” mentioned Chief Covington.
Covington mentioned each Oakland Hills firehouses will reopen on July 1 and completely different stations shall be closed, if that’s mandated by the town council.
These station closures aren’t the top of it. One other 4 stations are slated to shut someday in February except the Oakland Metropolis Council decides to make adjustments.
