The Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department has taken temporary measures to place firefighters at 81st and Leavenworth Road until a fire station there is cleaned up and renovated.
Fire Station No. 4 was temporarily closed, but it is being staffed through firefighters in a fire apparatus in the parking lot, a spokesman said. Sewage problems started on Saturday evening.
Fire Department spokesman Craig Duke said today that firefighters are currently stationed on a fire apparatus parked at the fire station at 81st and Leavenworth Road, and will be there in four-hour shifts, 24 hours a day.
He said a trailer is being brought to the location temporarily for firefighters until the station is renovated.
An emergency procurement to clean and restore the fire station has been obtained, and a contractor has been hired to do the work, he said. There is considerable work to do, with water damage possible. The contractor will tear out part of the lower walls to see if there is significant damage behind them, he said.
A cap on a pipe had broken off, with water and sewage running back into the station. Water pollution employees tested the storm sewers and sewage systems, he said. Heavy rain had collected on the north side of the building and backed up to the station, he said.
The estimated cost of the cleanup may range from $20,000 to $25,000, he said. This includes cleaning up the building, sanitizing it, assessing the damage to the walls, removing cabinets, carpeting, and other measures.
Duke said the area had some coverage from fire crews operating out of Station 19 at 81st and State, and there have been no issues with any calls during this time.
The cleanup and renovations are expected to take a week to 10 days.
“We want to get service back to the people in that area as quick as possible,” he said.
