Mt. Airy’s fire station back in operation
Philadelphia Fire Department brass and city officials joined a handful of residents Saturday in Mt. Airy to celebrate the re-opening of the neighborhood’s fire station.
The Germantown Avenue and Carpenter Lane locale closed last April primarily to repair the building’s crumbling concrete floor that was threatening to collapse.
“It was terrible. Tires were wrapped to keep them from busting,” said Eighth District Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller.
Now, eight months and more than $100,000 later, any signs of that disrepair have all but vanished. The station’s roof and front driveway were also upgraded during the closure.
“It’s 100 percent better,” said Executive Fire Chief Daniel Williams.
Repairs took longer than expected after construction crews had to unexpectedly repair the floor’s surface and underlying support system.
The station’s staff, which includes close to 50 members representing Engine 9, Ladder 21 and Medic 10, officially returned to their home base last weekend. During the closure, those employees were dispersed to Roxborough, East Oak Lane and Chestnut Hill respectively.
Newly hired Station Captain Eric Johnson, who grew up in Mt. Airy, said he’s pleased the renovations are complete and is ready to get to work.
“I’m ecstatic,” he said. “I’m glad our station is back to serve the community.”
The firehouse directly serves neighbors in Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill and Germantown.
In 2010, the station responded to more than 6,000 calls citywide, the lion’s share going to Medic 10.
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