Posted on 11/26/21
| News Source: WBAL
Baltimore City firefighters are sounding the alarm over a number of engine and staffing shortages.
Baltimore Firefighters Local 734 President Rich Langford told 11 News that pandemic-related problems and mechanical issues are adding to a mix of firehouse closures at a critical time for emergency response workers.
With cold weather setting in and a string of fires just this week, the fire department said it needs equipment and staff to save lives.
Cleanup and repair efforts began Thursday at a Brooklyn rowhome after an early morning fire destroyed at least four units.
"I'm still a little shocked. It hasn't quite 100% hit me," said Rayne Hill, whose home was destroyed by fire.
Hill said she lived on the second story with her stepbrother and that nothing is salvageable.
"I'm just glad I got my dog out because, you know, that was the last thing we had of our family," she said.
There were two other rowhome fires this week, one in west Baltimore that destroyed three vacant homes and another in the east side of the city that killed a mother and her two children.
The city fire union said there are a number of vehicle and staffing shortages. This Thanksgiving, the city's fire union said two engines, two ambulances and one truck were closed with no vehicle. At least another four engines, three ambulances and a truck were closed due to lack of staff.
"The department has been unfunded for many years. Things need to change, and hopefully, with the leadership of our fire department, City Council, mayor's office and unions, we can sit down and create a plan to move forward," Lanford said in a statement. "Service is slower than what we would like, but citizens are still getting the best service in the country from our dedicated paramedics and firefighters."