Mold in Station 3: The story so far

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Published: December 15, 2008 03:55 pm

Mold in Station 3: The story so far

http://www.suwanneedemocrat.com/branford/local_story_350155504.html

By Barbara Gill, Reporter

Mayo Free Press - Mayo,FL,USA

BRANFORD - Repeated cases of headache, sinus problems, bloody noses

and flu-like symptoms have been reported by personnel at Suwannee

County Fire/Rescue Station 3, at 606 NW Suwannee Avenue. The cause

may be the presence of mold in the building, health officials

report.

In response to the symptoms, Suwannee County Fire Chief Charlie

Conner first contacted the Suwannee County Health Department. After

looking the building over, local health officials recommended an

inspection by specialists. Landwise Environmental Services of Lake

City completed the task and recommended immediate evacuation of

personnel due to the presence of black mold.

Firefighters and other workers were temporarily moved to the

Steamboat Dive Inn on Dec. 2 while County Commissioner Wesley

Wainwright and Conner, with the assistance of Branford Mayor Don

Owens, continued to look for suitable housing.

A 5-bedroom, 3-bath home owned by Mona Hurst at 106 SW Drane Street

(NW corner of Drane and Bluff) was available.

Conner told Hurst he had to follow the proper county procedures to

secure funding for the rent and deposit and was not sure how long it

might take. Hurst would hear none of it.

" They were in a crunch and I was in a position to help, " she told

the Branford News. " I told Chief Conner not to worry about the

money, you just get your people moved in. "

Station 3 personnel were relocated to the Hurst rental on Dec. 5.

Editor's note: This issue is scheduled to come before the Suwannee

County Commission at its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday

afternoon. See more on this site Wednesday and in the Thursday

edition of the Branford News.

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