Birmingham Fire Station 27 to reopen Monday

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Birmingham city leaders plan to reopen Fire Station 27 on Monday, December 23.

The station has been closed since the summer because of health concerns, but the city says those problems have been fixed and the station is safe for employees.

“The safety of our city employees is a priority. Upon receiving the concerns about Fire Station 27 in May 2019, it was closed for inspection in early June 2019. Repairs and upgrades have been completed over the last few months. The city will review any additional questions that may exist to address any lingering concerns and to reassure our employees that the building is safe,” according to a statement provided by the mayor’s office.

However, not everyone thinks the station should reopen right now. An attorney for one of the firemen says his client has several questions that haven’t been answered. He feels further testing in warranted.

"Somebody who has intimate knowledge and expertise needs to go in and look at the duct work and look at the venting. And look at the different environmental issues with the air. And do another report and make sure that those questions we have raised are answered and safe for those firefighters,” said Attorney Scott Morro.

The city provided this list of work that has been completed at the station:

1. Ductwork sealed (rooftop only) and touch up painting to address roof leak

2. Replaced rough or damaged ceiling tiles

3. Remediated Asbestos flooring and put back new tile flooring

4. Remediated duct tape

5. Removed window at bay area and enclosed by constructing a wall between bay and kitchen

6. Patched/painted near locker room area and performed some general cleaning

7. Installed GFIC outlet in kitchen area

8. Professional duct cleaning

9. No smoke filter installed on two vehicles (Further exhaust testing from vehicle will be conducted.)

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