Two fire stations closing in Salem - KPTV - FOX 12
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The city of Salem is closing two of its fire stations.
Station 11 in West Salem and Station 8 at Chemeketa Community College will be closed as of May 7.
The city's general fund needs to cut nearly $7 million over the next two years. Fire operations receive a large chunk of the general fund operating budget, so the city is forced to close two stations.
The closures will allow the city to save up to $1 million a year in salaries and overtime.
The city originally proposed staffing those stations at 40 hours per week instead of the current round-the-clock staffing, but the city was not able to reach an agreement with the fire union for reduced hours.
In response to the city's decision, the firefighter union is campaigning to keep the stations open by posting an appeal on their website.
The city admits that these closures will sometimes lengthen response time.
The staff who worked at those stations will be reassigned.
The fire department will also eliminate six already vacant positions and one division chief position.
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