Vancouver firefighters to picket Station 3
Informational signs urge retention of rescue unit
Friday, February 12, 2010
Vancouver firefighters union members plan a rally and informational picket Saturday at Fire Station 3, 1110 N. Devine Road, to protest the loss of the rescue unit assigned to that station.
City officials recently announced they would pull Rescue 3 out of service as they try to eliminate four firefighting positions from the city's budget. Like other local governments, the city is faced with reducing costs in the face of declining tax revenue.
The rally begins at 10 a.m. Firefighters union members will canvass the neighborhood for signature on a petition to the city council asking them to retain the rescue unit.
The fire engine at Station 3 will remain in service and can respond to medical calls. However, firefighters say that sometimes the engine will be at one call when another call comes in.
“Closing this unit will cause dangerous delays in emergency response. We want the public to be aware that their very lives can be compromised in the case of a medical or fire emergency. We are urging the public to call city hall at 360-487-8629 and demand that the City of Vancouver keep Rescue 3 in service,” according to a statement from Mark Johnston, union president.
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