LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Plaster falling from ceilings, bathrooms in disrepair, outdated electrical wiring, and rusted fire trucks—these alarming conditions are at the heart of a $34 million plea from the Louisville Fire Department to Metro Council.
Fire officials have sent over 150 photos and a letter to councilmembers, urging them to address the department's growing infrastructure and equipment needs.
Aging equipment and firehouse conditions
Firefighters are calling attention to the crumbling infrastructure in firehouses across the city, including kitchens and bathrooms that require extensive renovations. One firehouse with a geothermal heating and cooling system is especially problematic. The system needs 20,000 gallons of water daily due to insufficiently deep water wells—equivalent to draining an Olympic-sized pool every month.
"It doesn't come at a cost to the Louisville Fire Department because we don't pay for water, but it comes at a cost to the community,"Â explained Jeff Taylor, president of the Louisville Professional Firefighters Local 54.
The conditions of the equipment is equally concerning. During the St. Paul German Evangelical Church fire on Broadway in October, one of the department's aging ladder trucks broke down in the middle of the road. Rusted trucks with holes big enough to put a hand through highlight the urgency for modernization.
Firefighters push for immediate action
Firefighters are asking Metro Council to allocate $34 million, which would cover repairs to firehouses and replace outdated fire trucks. However, if only $9 million is approved, the department plans to purchase four fire trucks or engines and prioritize the most critical firehouse repairs.
"We just want to make sure (councilmembers) understand the complexity of this, how deep it goes, and how we can't afford to kick it down the road any further,"Â Taylor said.
The request comes as Metro Council prepares for two important meetings: A budget meeting on Dec. 5 and a full council session on Dec. 12. Firefighters are expected to attend both meetings to advocate for funding.
The Louisville Fire Department shared the more than 150 photos sent to Metro Council with WDRB on Tuesday, offering a firsthand look at the severity of the issues plaguing the city's firehouses. You can view some of those photos in the gallery below.
IMAGES | Louisville Fire shows firehouses in disrepair to Metro Council to highlight need for funding
The Louisville Fire Department has sent more than 150 photos to Metro Council, offering a firsthand look at the severity of the issues plaguing the city's firehouses. (All photos courtesy of Jeff Taylor/Louisville Professional Firefighters Local 54 union)
Previous Coverage:
- Mayor asking Metro Council to send surplus budget money to Louisville Fire Department
- Louisville Fire Department seeks budget surplus to repair deteriorating firehouses, equipment
- Council committee approves 5-year contract for Louisville firefighters
- Louisville firefighters say city is doing little to fix conditions at older firehouses
- Louisville firefighters approve city's 5-year contract after rejecting it in May
- Louisville Fire officials say department needs $31 million to catch up on deferred maintenance
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