West Side fire station first on list for temporary closure
Some homes and businesses on Youngstown's West Side will be the first to experience a belt-tightening move by the Youngstown Fire Department.
Some homes and businesses on Youngstown's West Side will be the first to experience a belt-tightening move by the Youngstown Fire Department.
Fire Chief Barry Finley announced on Wednesday that Number 15 will be the first fire station to temporarily shut down, as the department begins a series of temporary closures.
The station at South Schenley Avenue and McCullom Road will close for two weeks, followed by the two-week shut down of another fire station in the city.
Chief Finley says nine firefighters are out because of injuries, and by mid-July, he predicts the department could exceed their overtime budget.
City council says the Fire Department must work within its budget, denying Finley's request to use overtime funds to repair a fire truck.
The chief says on days when overtime is not needed to man all of the city's stations, they will be able to operate normally.
There is no word which fire station is next in line for a two-week closure.
