Taylor To Close 2 Of Its 3 Fire Stations

TAYLOR (WWJ) - The city of Taylor is announcing plans to close two of its three fire stations.

In a letter to the firefighters' union, Taylor Fire Chief Robert Tompos said that due to recent staffing cuts, firefighters will be consolidated into one central station beginning on October 3.

Speaking to WWJ Newsradio 950's Sandra McNeil, firefighters union local Vice President Bryan Schwesing said he's worried about the effect the move will have on response times.

He said the city will be forced to rely more on neighboring communities for help.

"We wouldn't be able to respond to more than one fire at a time," said Schwesing. "In my opinion that is dangerous. I can't even explain how dangerous that is. To respond to two house fires with that staff ... you can't do it," he said.

Schwesing is also worried about the firefighters who are still on the job.

"They're working 120 hours straight.  They're tired. They're not seeing their families. Some guys are just not taking the extra shifts because they can't do it anymore," he said. "It's wearing on them big time, emotionally and physically."

Schwesing was among 19 firefighters who were laid off on July 1. WWJ has a call out to the mayor for comment.