Ongoing maintenance issues at a newly opened fire station prompted Ocean City’s fire union to share grievances on social media this week, but the city reports efforts are underway to address those concerns.
On Tuesday evening, the Ocean City Firefighter-Paramedics Association, or IAFF Local 4269, took to Facebook to list various maintenance issues at the new Station 3, including a lack of heating in the living quarters last week, tripping hazards on the floor of the engine bays, and a faulty exit door.
Ryan Whittington, the union’s president, did not respond to interview requests this week. However, City Manager Terry McGean said city staff are aware of the issues and are working to address them.
“Regarding the Fire House, Fire Command and Public Works have been in close communication about all issues regarding the new Fire Station,” he said in a statement this week. “The Station was designed and constructed as a state of the art facility with no expense spared for the safety of our men and women firefighter/EMTs and paramedics. With any new construction there will be problems that come to light after the building opens that need to be addressed.”
In a Facebook post shared Monday, the union reported that firefighters last week “were forced to operate out of the Taj Mahal of fire stations — Ocean City’s $12 million facility on 65th Street — without heat in the living quarters.”
All problems must be fixed by a one year warranty from the building contractors