Ann Arbor fire station closure proposal: Dates announced for 5 community forums

• Sept. 18, 6-8 p.m., Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard
• Sept. 19, 6-8 p.m., Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave.
• Sept. 20, 6-8 p.m., Downtown Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave.
• Sept. 25, 6-8 p.m., Traverwood Library, 3333 Traverwood Drive
• Sept. 26, 6-8 p.m., CTN Studios, 2805 S. Industrial Highway

City officials said the last meeting will be taped and replayed on CTN Channel 19 and will be available online to replay at http://a2cititv.pegcentral.com.

In March, Hubbard presented a fire department restructuring proposal to the City Council as part of a strategy to operate out of three fire stations instead of five.

One station would be located on the north side of the city (Station 5 off Plymouth Road on Beal Avenue), one on the south side of the city (Station 2 at Stadium and Packard) and one in downtown Ann Arbor (Station 1 at Fifth Avenue and Huron).

That plan requires reopening Station 2, which was closed several years ago, and closing Station 3 at 2130 Jackson Ave., Station 4 at 2415 Huron Parkway, and Station 6 at 1881 Briarwood Circle.

With the upcoming community meetings, Ann Arbor officials intend to give citizens the opportunity to hear more about the proposal and ask specific questions pertaining to fire suppression coverage.

Hubbard repeatedly has pointed out the Occupational Safety and Health Association has a "two-in/two-out law," which requires at least four personnel on scene before anyone can enter a burning building.

The city's current response model includes three firefighters staffed at each station, which means two trucks have to be on scene before firefighters can enter a burning building.

Hubbard said the plan to consolidate fire stations would allow the fire department to better meet National Fire Protection Association response standards because four firefighters would be on duty at each of the three stations versus the current model which only allows for three firefighters on duty at each station.

• Go here to watch Hubbard's presentation to the City Council or go here to watch an interview of Hubbard on CTN's "Conversations" program.