West Scranton Residents Concerned About Firehouse Staffing
By: Eric Deabill
Updated: October 18, 2012
Scranton, Lackawanna County - People who live in part of Scranton say they're concerned about fire safety.
For the last few months, residents say their neighborhood firehouse has been closed much more than others in the city.
The situation revolves around the firehouse on Luzerne Street in West Scranton.
After the Scranton fire chief saw the numbers Wednesday night, he is pledging to do better.
Carol Plotkin is a native of West Scranton.
She has been closely following what has been happening at the fire station across the street from her house.
"I think it's terrible. I think, I think they're looking for trouble," Plotkin said.
At a meeting Wednesday night, homeowners and members of the city's fire union release a survey that shows over the last three months, the Luzerne Street fire station has been closed or "browned out" 82-percent of the time.
"I think that is sad because that firehouse across the street is an important asset to the west side community," Barbara Michalowski of West Scranton said.
Fire chief Tom Davis says the decision on which firehouses to close is made daily in Scranton.
He blames he problem on manpower, with holidays, vacation time, sick time and injuries.
While he says the situation in West Scranton is not unique, he pledges to do better.
"We're just gonna have to try to do better. Our vacations, summer vacations are just about over and we're going to try to keep it open more," Chief Davis said.
City residents say they'll be watching what happens.
"The whole idea that such a lovely firehouse is one that they're not manning is unfortunate," Plotkin said.
"Bring it back the way it was with a fully staffed fire barn," Michalowski said.
When the Luzerne Street station is closed, the fire chief says residents are still protected by a fire station on North Main Avenue. He does admit that station is farther away from some parts of West Scranton, like the Keyser Valley section.
