By David Taber

With reports of leaky roofs, crumbling walls and unreasonably cramped quarter, the Board of Aldermen’s Public Health and Safety Committee recently toured city’s fire stations.

Aldermen-At-Large Bill White and Dennis M. Sullivan, and Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero, who sit on the committee, were already aware of the many issues affecting the Somerville Fire Department. They were aware inadequacy of the trailer Union Square’s Engine 3 has been operating out of since Christmas Eve 1998, said White who is chairman of the health and safety committee.

Firefighters assigned to Engine 3 were stationed in the basement of the Public Safety Building on Washington Street until it flooded and became uninhabitable more than eight years ago. 

‚ÄúSomeone can tell you there is a crack in the wall, but when you go out and actually see the things it allows people to focus on the things more concretely,‚Äù White said.   
Highland Avenue Fire Station has a large crack in the wall. Leaky roofs and dated equipment are a department-wide issue.

Some of the problems the committee heard about from Firefighter’s Union Local 76 president Jay Colbert when he testified at a meeting in early March. Following Colbert’s testimony, aldermen decided it was necessary to see the problems and conditions for themselves.

A few problems were corrected by the time officials took a tour last week. A leaking steam pipe in the floor of the Highland Avenue fire station, which had repeatedly shorted out the station’s circuit board was fixed three weeks ago, said Deputy Fire Chief Peter St. Clair said.

But many more troubles remain in Somerville’s fire stations, despite the efforts of fire personnel to do what they can with upkeep and cleanliness, said White.“The walk through showed us that fire department personnel are willing to devote a lot of energy to the upkeep of their facilities,” White said.

Aldermen plan to keep up the efforts to uncover and resolve building issues.
Fire Chief  Kevin  Kelleher said he is pleased the aldermen are taking steps to support the department. ‚ÄúI am always looking for any assistance we can get, if it turns out to be fruitful that would be fantastic,‚Äù he said.