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Petition Seeks Free Cable For Detroit Firefighters

DETROIT (WWJ) - A 22-year-old Detroiter is fighting for free cable service for first responders.

Part-time dispatcher and student Blake Govan says he knows how hard Detroit firefighters work, and he was shocked to discover that the 40 fire stations in the city don't have cable TV.

"They deserve it, because they keep having to pay more out-of-pocket for their health care and getting pay cuts from the city," Govan told WWJ's Kathryn Larson. "Plus, they're paying to upkeep their own firehouse."

Govan said, last summer, he was successful in his campaign to convince Viacom to provide free cable to Highland Park's new fire station.

But, he said, after months of negotiations, Comcast still said no.

He's looking for help from the public to make it happen, via a Change.org petition.

View or sign the petition HERE.

Meantime, Comcast says they are aware of the petition and are looking into the matter.

Govan's efforts come less than a year after a housekeeping crisis at the Detroit Fire Department made headlines. Last fall, firefighters were forced to buy their own toilet paper when the city failed to provide the tissue, along with other necessities including hand soap and cleaning supplies.

Last winter, firefighters at Ladder 25, Engine 53 resorted to using an oven to heat the place when their furnace went unrepaired for several days.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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