Published: March 28, 2008 10:31 pm      

CITY OF TONAWANDA: Fire station closure causes safety concerns

Niagara Hose Co. 3 fire station in the City of Tonawanda has been closed for nearly two weeks over concerns about possible asbestos contamination in the basement. One resident says the public should be made aware of the closure, and he’s also concerned about safety because Niagara Hose is the nearest station to three Tonawanda schools.

“I think the residents have a right to know their safety has been jeopardized,” said Peter Wolf, a 48-year exempt member of the fire department.

The fire department budgeted this year to replace tiles in the basement of the Wheeler Street station and put together a work crew to remove the old tiles instead of paying someone to come in and do it. During the process, the state Labor Department was contacted over concerns that there may have been asbestos in the basement, which houses the members’ lounge area.

The state said that because the fire station is a public building it would have to be closed until a contractor conducted air monitoring as part of an asbestos abatement plan. Those tests should be conducted soon, and Tonawanda Fire Chief Charles Stuart said he’s hopeful the building can reopen by this weekend or early next week.

Still, Wolf, who lives on Morgan Street, near the station, said the building’s closure presents safety concerns in the event of an emergency. Stuart disagrees.

“That’s really not an issue,” he said Thursday. “It’s a minute and a half from headquarters (on William Street) travel time.”

Stuart added that although there are advantages to having a neighborhood fire station, Niagara Hose’s temporary closure does not compromise residents’ safety, especially since only a driver and a pumper are dispatched from the building, and the driver can’t do anything until backup arrives from headquarters.

Wolf doesn’t buy it.

“One person can save a life,” he said. “It’s been one person all these years. It’s just that odd time when somebody else could be there first and save a life.”

He said Engine No. 3 was removed from the station March 13, but the station was allowed to host a chowder sale two days later. Stuart said only the basement is an area of concern. The door that leads to it is shut and has an alarm.

The chief said he has heard some grumblings about safety from neighborhood residents and older members of the fire department, but maintains that, “From a fire protection standpoint, I have no concerns whatsoever. Given the geographical layout of the city...one firehouse is more than enough to get a decent response time anywhere in the city.”

Mayor Ron Pilozzi said Thursday that he agrees with the chief’s decision.

“We have to err on the side of health and safety,” he said about the possible asbestos. The air monitoring tests will tell officials whether the building is safe to reopen.

“Once that’s been determined, we’ll be done and things will be back to normal,” the mayor said. “I think we’re doing the right things.”

Contact reporter David J. Hill at 693-1000, ext. 115.