Louisville firefighters working without a contract while city ignores aging stations, equipment

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Old equipment, stations in disrepair and a stalled union contract — that's the plight of the Louisville Fire Department.

As the department is riding high from the Second Street Bridge rescue on March 1, they are trying to re-direct that limelight on what it needs most — at least $35 million to fix aging stations and equipment.

“Approximately, so if you look at, we have 21 fire stations with 26 companies and seven of those stations are over 100 years old, yeah there are a lot of things to keep them up,” Louisville Fire Chief Brian O'Neill said.

It is not hard to find fire stations with peeling paint, rusted facades, holes in buildings and equipment older than the firefighters charged with their operation. Chief O'Neill said the city is at least four years behind on ordering new equipment

“We have some that are about 20 years old, once again it is a testament to our shop, they keep these things running, they do an amazing job when it comes to automotive maintenance," O'Neill said.

O'Neill also said if they ordered a new truck today, it would be delivered in three or four years.

Another expense facing the city is paying the firefighters living and working in the older stations are doing so without a contract.

“That is true. Right now, the union is in negotiations with the city on a contract. The current contract expired back on July 1st. This is sadly not abnormal," O'Neill said.

The Mayor's office sent this statement:

“Mayor Greenberg and his entire administration greatly value Louisville’s heroic firefighters and their dedication to protecting our people and our city. The Greenberg administration met nearly all the requests made by the union leadership. We will resolve this through conversations with union leadership directly, in accordance with our agreement.”

Approval of the new contract has some bugs to work out before it is approved.