RICHMOND —
News of Richmond’s decision to close its fire station on Duncannon Lane has left many community representatives with mixed emotions.
Interim City Manager Jimmy Howard informed the city commission Tuesday night that he intends to close the station on Enterprise Drive off Duncannon Lane by Aug. 1, but that nothing has been “set in stone.”
There will not be an order or an official vote at the commission’s next scheduled meeting Tuesday, July 24 at 6 p.m., Howard said.
“Aug. 1 is a target date,” he said.
Howard said City Attorney Garrett Fowles assured him he as legal authority to close the station without prior approval from the city commission.
The station serves the industrial park, a chid care center and the Madison County Extension Center as well as the Arcadian Cove assisted living center, all of which have sprinkler fire-suppression systems. It also provides coverage for Golden Leaf subdivision and around Exit 83 of Interstate 75, which lies within the city limits.
Howard visited several businesses in the industrial park Wednesday and Thursday explaining that the city plans on closing the fire station.
“There’s not been a negative reaction,” he said. “They’re not applauding, but from my viewpoint, they seemed to be very understanding.”
Howard said he had consulted with Madison Judge/Executive Kent Clark who said the county’s fire station at the US 25/421 junction would be able to provide coverage for the area after Richmond closes the fire station on Enterprise Drive.
Clark is on vacation this week and was unavailable for comment.
However, District 1 Magistrate Larry Combs of Berea said there is no way he would agree to have the county take up the city’s slack. The fiscal court has not voted to accept the extra duties brought on by the city’s decision, he said.
“I don’t think we need to be spending county taxpayer dollars (for fire protection in Richmond),” he said. “That’s in the city limits. I don’t understand why they’re closing it.”
The county’s fire department lies in magisterial District 4, represented by Greg King. He could not be reached Thursday for comment.
Whether the county Fire Station will need additional personnel with the extra coverage area has not been determined, said county fire chief Jim Cox.
On average, three trained firefighters are on duty at the station during the summer, he said.
“While school’s in, we keep about five,” Cox said.
The station currently covers about 50 square miles, and covering the new area is not something that is new to the fire station.
“We covered Duncannon Lane up until (Richmond) Station 5 was put in,” Cox said. “I think we can make it work.”
In the future, when firefighters from county station No. 2 respond to a call, they will be accompanied by an engine from Richmond which will “just be a couple minutes behind us,” and an engine from the Blue Grass Army Depot, Cox said.
“As far as the help goes, it doesn’t seem like a huge issue.”
Richmond Fire Chief Buzzy Campbell said Tuesday he understood the city’s rationale in closing the station, but that he does not agree with its closure.
On Thursday, Campbell said he was not comfortable commenting because there are many issues related to the decision need additional discussion.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.
Local News
Related Photos
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Madison County Fire Station No. 2, located near the US 25/421 junction, keeps three firefighters on duty, said Lt. Barney Alexander. Richmond intends to close its nearby fire station off Duncannon Lane by Aug. 1, placing more burden for protection in the area on the county station, which has a mutual-aid agreement with the Blue Grass Army Depot’s fire department, a few blocks away. Crystal Wylie/The Register
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County Fire Station No. 2 is home to Safety City, a learning facility that serves groups from Madison, Estill and Jackson counties. Through a partnership between the fire department and the Madison County Health Department, a variety of safety training is offered: poison control, bicycle/pedestrian, firearms, ATV, railroad, fire-exit drills and 911 call simulation. Crystal Wylie/The Register
Closing of fire station evokes mixed reaction
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