Demopolis takes first step to provide better accommodations for Station 1 firefighters

The Demopolis City Council recently took the first step toward creating new living quarters for firefighters at Station 1.  

The city council at their Sept. 4 meeting gave Mayor Woody Collins the go-ahead to tear down a house that is attached to Station 1. The house has been used as living quarters for on-duty firefighters, but Collins said the walls have settled and the roof leaks. He said repairing the building wouldn’t be cost effective.

The teardown will cost about $20,000, Collins said.

Once the old structure is gone, Collins told the Black Belt News Network that the city will decide what to do to provide sleeping quarters for on-duty firefighters at Station 1. Collins said he favors erecting a metal building where the house is now, but others have said they want a block structure.

Meanwhile, the firefighters will bunk in offices and storage areas in the firehouse. Up to four firefighters are in the station during their 24-hour shift. Station 1 also serves as the department’s headquarters, so other firefighters are in the station during business hours.