Duluth Fire has History of Cutbacks
My long time friend and frequent Fire Wire contributor Gary Carino of Duluth has been a fire buff in the Duluth area for a long, long time (several decades). His recollection of fires, fire apparatus, fire stations and fire personnel is remarkable. Gary sent me an e-mail the other day, reminding me that the recent city decision to cut an engine company out of the downtown fire station is just part of a long history of cutbacks in the fire department. I would say since the mid 1970's, a number of reductions have been made. These include:
Squad 252 - 2nd Assistant Chief covering the west end of Duluth
Squad 242 - Rescue unit based out of Station 2-covering Duluth's West End
Squad 244 - Rescue unit based out of Station 4-covering Duluth's East side
2 Truck - Ladder company covering the west end of Duluth
4 Truck - Ladder company covering the east side of Duluth
And, just recently, 3 Engine, cut on September 1, 2008.
For anyone involved in the fire service, it is difficult to see apparatus taken out of service and personnel reduced. It means expanded coverage areas for personnel and possible delays in emergency responses. It also means reduced staffing at the scene.
Duluth is unique in that there are at least four stations with engine companies that have only two personnel on duty. A fire in those areas means firefighters have to wait for more personnel to arrive from the other stations before a safe entry can be made. And, we all know what happens when an operation is delayed. With 3 Engine gone, a resource with three personnel is also eliminated.
Duluth has some serious budget problems right now and city officials are making some very tough and very unpopular decisions. I hope they can resolve these troubles and eventually (I am keeping my fingers crossed), that 3 Engine will be back in service and soon!