BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Battle Creek’s 80-year-old Fire Station 4 will close temporarily so the city can bring in experts to assess the building and improve its safety for fire crews.
City officials says Station 4’s flat roofs has taken on significant damage from rain and snow over time. That has led to drainage issues, water leaks, standing water, and a lot of moisture in the building that has started to deteriorate its structure.
The Fire Department’s plans to continue serving the city include responding to calls from Station 1 on East Michigan Avenue, which is the current administrative station. Station 4 crews and vehicles will move to Station 1 and Station 6 (Capital Avenue SW) during Station 4’s closure.
Knowing 70 percent of our calls are for medical needs, and not fires, the department will cover those calls in Station 4’s area with crews from Station 2 (Washington Avenue) and Station 6.
“We do anticipate an impact to the response time for fire calls,” said Fire Chief Brian Sturdivant. “However, that is not outside the norm. If Station 4 was still operating, and Rescue 4 was on another call, we would still have the same level of response with trucks from other stations.”
The City of Springfield, located right in Station 4’s area, has mutual aid with Battle Creek for fire and rescue services, and will be able to assist if needed. The city also has mutual aid agreements with fire service in Bedford, Emmett, and Pennfield townships, and with the VA for the Fort Custer corridor.
Fire officials expect to close Station 4 by next Tuesday, February 1. Engineering and architectural firms WJE and Wightman will the assess the building, giving the city options for renovations and rebuilding. The cost of these assessments is estimated at $50,000.
There is no timetable for the reopening of Station 4.
Station 4 was built in the 1940s. It became part of the city’s Fire Department when Battle Creek Township merged with the city in the early 1980s.
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