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The countrys oldest working firehouse was closed by a mayor who has no clue about history.
Historic Kentucky Station Closes its Doors
LOUISVILLE, Ky. --
Firefighters and community members said goodbye to a historic Louisville fire station Sunday night.
As one of the firemen put it, Engine 7 has been at Sixth and York streets since before the first Kentucky Derby and even before one Louisville Slugger baseball bat was sign.
"Attention all companies, attention all companies. There will be no knockouts as for Engine 7 today," Local 345 firehouse vice-president James Wilkens said.
The group played taps at 8 a.m. for the firehouse, which was the oldest working fire station in the nation.
"It opened it's doors in 1871 and protected the people of this city through the Great Depression, world wars and the great floods," Wilkens said.
"This is a tragedy. You're going to close the oldest working firehouse in the United States. It's been around for years and years. Its still making runs to many high rises. As you can see, the neighbors are supporting the issue of keeping the firehouse open, Wilkens said.
For months, many of the 16,000 residents served by the station have voiced their disapproval of the plan to close the station.
Now that the station is closed, they said that their lives are at risk because of the budget cuts made to balance a $20 million shortfall.
"Due to Mayor Jerry Abramson's budget cuts, after three centuries of continuous service, Engine Company Engine 7 will close it's doors forever, Wilkens said.
But that may not be the end of the story because of a lawsuit thats still pending. The result of that case could keep the firehouse open.
Judge McKay Chaubin is expected to hear a motion for an injunction to keep the station open on Monday.
But until then, the firefighters of Engine 7 are gathering their gear to leave.
"Engine 7, you may be gone, but the gallant, unyielding service of your brave members and firehouse will not be forgotten. God speed Engine 7," Wilkens said.
Supporters hope the injunction will compel metro government to keep the fire station open on the basis of public safety and to protect lives and property within the service area.
What do you think?
LOUISVILLE, Ky. --
Firefighters and community members said goodbye to a historic Louisville fire station Sunday night.
As one of the firemen put it, Engine 7 has been at Sixth and York streets since before the first Kentucky Derby and even before one Louisville Slugger baseball bat was sign.
"Attention all companies, attention all companies. There will be no knockouts as for Engine 7 today," Local 345 firehouse vice-president James Wilkens said.
The group played taps at 8 a.m. for the firehouse, which was the oldest working fire station in the nation.
"It opened it's doors in 1871 and protected the people of this city through the Great Depression, world wars and the great floods," Wilkens said.
"This is a tragedy. You're going to close the oldest working firehouse in the United States. It's been around for years and years. Its still making runs to many high rises. As you can see, the neighbors are supporting the issue of keeping the firehouse open, Wilkens said.
For months, many of the 16,000 residents served by the station have voiced their disapproval of the plan to close the station.
Now that the station is closed, they said that their lives are at risk because of the budget cuts made to balance a $20 million shortfall.
"Due to Mayor Jerry Abramson's budget cuts, after three centuries of continuous service, Engine Company Engine 7 will close it's doors forever, Wilkens said.
But that may not be the end of the story because of a lawsuit thats still pending. The result of that case could keep the firehouse open.
Judge McKay Chaubin is expected to hear a motion for an injunction to keep the station open on Monday.
But until then, the firefighters of Engine 7 are gathering their gear to leave.
"Engine 7, you may be gone, but the gallant, unyielding service of your brave members and firehouse will not be forgotten. God speed Engine 7," Wilkens said.
Supporters hope the injunction will compel metro government to keep the fire station open on the basis of public safety and to protect lives and property within the service area.
What do you think?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chief 29 on
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Completely unbelievable that this type of thing happens. Unfortunately it is not just the Mayor that made the decision on his own. There are more people involved such as advisers and also council members. Most of these people don't find the fire service an essential service until its their life or property on the line.
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Permalink Reply by HAUS on
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that mayor needs to stop being such an idiot and let history continue serving our needs if it worked fine before it should do fine now ..with all that tax money you couldnt take something out like a local pizza hut because they straight up suck
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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It is important to remember that when budgets get tight, it's not history that counts, it's news.
Reducing coverage while the risks stay the same or grow isn't a good choice, but you can't spend money that you don't have, either.
The way to prevent station closures is to have lots and lots of community support.
Community support equals votes. Voters, not history will keep stations open during tough economic times.
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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It is important to remember that when budgets get tight, it's not history that counts, it's news.
I was trying to think of what to say, and you summed it beautifully.
As sad as this may be, I suspect that it's not based on a lack of knowledge of history....
It's a business decision, whether we like it or not.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on
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Not to defend the mayor's decision, but something else to consider: the age of the station.
What condition is the building in? How is it heated? Is the apparatus floor in good shape? Does the building exterior need major restoration work?
Within the past few years, fire houses in Buffalo and Rochester NY have been closed due to crumbling apparatus floors. In Buffalo, the house was an 1800s era building and rather than fix it, the city decided to build a new house nearby. Before the replacement house was built, the pump had to be parked outside for fear of watching it sink into the basement. The was with the floor already supported with stanchions, I-beams, etc.
The Rochester house was built much more recently (1950s) but apparently the construction site was not well chosen, and the floor was crumbling away. Rather than make massive repairs to the structure, the decision was made to relocate the company to a downtown house. This probably set the stage for future budget reductions but that's a different discussion.
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Permalink Reply by James on
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The Station was just renevated 2 years ago with all new windows, flooring and insulation. The mayor has all these new projects that he is doing they are putting in a downtown arena that cost 200 million. They also have a rainy day fund that has over 25 million in it and the deficit is only 20 million so he is a idiot.
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