Mold keeps Belton firefighters from sleeping at station

July 22, 2007

July 21, 2007

By

Killeen Daily Herald

BELTON -Excess moisture has kept city firefighters from their downtown bunks and

regular posts at the Central Fire Station for more than a week.

After noticing discolored Sheetrock and an abnormal amount of moisture in the

bunk area, which houses six beds and three bathrooms, firefighters moved out of

the central station temporarily last week and have not yet returned.

Last year, moisture was found around the air conditioning vents, " but then it

just went away, " said Fire Marshal Bruce Pritchard. " This year, because of the

rains, they noticed more moisture in the attic and discoloration in the

Sheetrock, so we moved them out as a precaution. "

Until the cause of the problem is discovered and repaired, the fire station has

taken measures to ensure smooth operations.

Every night at 9 for the past week, all equipment and personnel have been

transferred to the Sparta Road Fire Station for emergency response and for

overnight sleeping accommodations during the shift change.

Response times have been slightly affected, officials acknowledged, but

equipment and personnel have been moved back to the Central Fire Station by 7:15

each morning.

A trailer has been set up behind the Central Fire Station to replace the damaged

bunk area; firefighters were expected to move into the trailer Friday night.

" Response time is delayed a little, so we're trying extra hard to get them moved

into the trailer as soon as possible, " Pritchard said.

Because the kitchen, dining room and offices at the central station are still

usable, the trailer is used only as sleeping quarters. Firefighters are

convinced there's no big difference in the change of location.

" It's the job, " said Danny Raines, a five-year Belton firefighter. " It's really

no different than sleeping out here. "

Pritchard said he was concerned that the shuttling back and forth was affecting

morale.

" For them, this is their home for 24 hours, " Pritchard said. " It's an

inconvenience, and they're a little disrupted, but they're taking it well. "

Pritchard said he was unsure of when operations would return to normal so the

firefighters can return to their bunks.

" It's an open-ended question right now until they start repairs, " Pritchard

said. " We have no idea how long it's going to take. "

Contact at djohnson@... or call 501-7559

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