2 Mount Vernon firehouses without heat Monday

News 12 was told it was caused by deteriorating equipment at Station 2 and Station 3.

News 12 Staff

Jan 10, 2022, 8:40 PM

Updated 997 days ago

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Mount Vernon firefighters are braving the frigid temperatures outside and even inside.
Two of the city's firehouses do not have any heat. News 12 was told it was caused by deteriorating equipment at Station 2 and Station 3.
The issues with Station 2 have to do with outdated circulator pumps that need to be replaced. Station 3's boiler is currently down.
Department of Public Work crews are currently working to fix the issue.
Officials from the Local 107 union say it's been a chronic issue creating dangerous situations.
The city's fire chief and DPW commissioner stopped by Monday to check on repairs that have been ongoing for about a week.
"We have a plan, a strategic plan to actually address these issues and enforce permanent solutions instead of Band-Aid approaches,” says DPW Commissioner Damani Bush.
Firefighters have been relying on old electric space heaters, similar to the one that caused the deadly fire in the Bronx.
"Us as firefighters, we shouldn't have to use space heaters to constantly stay warm - as you see what space heaters can do," says Ernie Richardson, second VP of health and safety.
Mount Vernon's DPW commissioner expected heat to be restored by the end of the day.