Louisville Fire to receive $6.1 million from city's budget surplus to make critical repairs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Metro Council's final meeting of the year wrapped up late Thursday as councilmembers worked to divvy up the city's budget surplus.

According to Mayor Craig Greenberg's Office, councilmembers passed his mid-year budget adjustment ordinance to allocate $16.5 million in surplus funding.

The Louisville Fire Department will get a much-needed infusion of cash to make overdue and critical repairs and equipment upgrades.

Metro Council will send $6.1 million from the budget surplus to the fire department. For months, the city's fire department has asked for funding to replace outdated gear and repair deteriorating facilities.

The funding will help fund the purchase of three new fire engines and one new truck to compliment three already on order for the fire department. It will also fund building improvements.

Many city agencies had their hands out for a piece of the budget surplus. For the past several years, funding for the fire department has not kept up with needs.

The department's struggles became public earlier this year when a 10-year-old rope—well past its recommended service life—was used during a dramatic rescue of a truck driver dangling from the Second Street Bridge.

Aging equipment has also hindered operations. One of its oldest fire trucks broke down during a massive church fire on Broadway in October, underscoring the dire need for upgrades.

The firefighters union has shared troubling images and reports with Metro Council members, 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.

The fire department was seeking $34 million from the surplus budget for repairs. Last month, Greenberg asked Metro Council to send some of the budget surplus to the fire department, about $9 million. Council cut it back to $6 million.

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)