People living in one part of Lake County are learning they're losing a nearby fire station within a few weeks.
The decision was made Thursday night after a 3-2 decision by city commissioners.
A volunteer station, Fire Station 56, sits a few blocks from the intersection of Dixie Avenue and Miller Boulevard.
“We live very close to the fire station and it is a real positive thing for us because we know we have coverage and the paramedics,” said Fruitland Park resident Carol Kingery.
Residents are wondering how emergencies will be handled after Oct. 1, when the station shuts its doors.
“Well, are we still going to have protection as available as we have it now?” Kingery asked.
City Manager Gary la Venia said the station is now staffed with volunteer firefighters, and that the city is working to staff the station with full-time Lake County firefighters.
But while an agreement has yet to be reached, Channel 9 found out that negotiations with Lake County started after they received a grant of more than $1 million to hire 15 new firefighters.
The county said the new hires will help bring down response times and improve safety in areas like Fruitland Park.
“I would think that they would think that the residents would be safe and have security in their decisions,” Kingery said.
Cox Media Group
