SACRAMENTO, Calif — A local firefighters union says the City of Sacramento needs to build more fire stations around town in order to keep up with the city's growth.
The union representing Sacramento Area Firefighters said we may run out of equipment if something is not done to build more fire stations.
The Railyards expansion will change the footprint of Sacramento, its population and its need for public safety, said Robert Padilla, spokesperson with Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522.
"We are standing on C Street outside Station 14 which we consider to be ground zero of what's going on in Sacramento," Padilla said.
The engine at Station 14 was out on a call while Padilla talked about how busy they are and how much more busy they will be once the Railyards development project is finished.
"Station 14 has seen an incredible increase in call volume and calls for service," he said.
A majority of their calls come from the homeless population right outside of the station. Padilla said they're usually calls about fires started on the levee and medical calls.
READ ALSO:
He said Station 14 was actually supposed to be relocated and rebuilt to match the call volume and equipment needed several years ago, but that project was delayed.
"Our members are tired. Proposals are just talk. We are ready to see some action. We don't want to see proposals we want to see action," Padilla said.
So what's being done? Will another station be built?
The City of Sacramento said yes, there are plans to build a new fire station in the Railyards to accommodate the increased level of service expected as the area is developed.
"Usually as areas develop they will hit a point that triggers a need for an additional station. There is land allocated for a station in that area," the Sacramento Fire Department told ABC10.
Padilla said they are happy and optimistic about the future.
"But station 14 is the reality of what's happening, and that is a lot of investment in the city," he said. "Staffing levels and stations are at 30-year numbers, which means for the last 30 years there really hasn't been an increase in service. Station 14 was supposed to be built several years ago."
Until then, Padilla said if Station 14 gets tied up and gets another call, resources could be stretched thin.
"So you are looking at an engine from Cal Expo or Del Paso Heights. Eventually we are going to run out of equipment if this continues. It's for the safety and security of our community," Padilla said.
FREE ABC10 APP:
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for ABC10's Daily Blend Newsletter
Exposing yourself on the street is a crime, but the law is less clear when it happens online.