MFD: Northwest Midland Needs Fire Station

Firefighters are supposed to arrive to your home within four mintues to save your home from fire. but for the North West part of Midland that's not easy to do.

"There is a greater demand for service in that area," said MFD Assistant Chief Operations Fritz Niggeler. "And there really isn't a station thats real close."

A recent insurance evaluation at MFD determined the North West side needs more fire fighting power. But with no station and no sufficient trucks in that area, it's impossible.

"We can't make a quick response," said Niggeler.

Firefighters need ladder trucks that can reach high onto rooftops and reach their ultimate goal.

"So we're able to service the whole community effectively," Niggeler.

But Firefighters say that's now becoming increasingly difficult. Firefighters say the North West part of town is growing. In fact, scanner traffic is filled with calls made from that part of town.

"If we added a station there today our call volume would be equal to that of our busiest stations," said Niggeler.

But this new station needs money to be built. Midland firemen say City Council is aware of the need and working towards a soultion. But it may take a little while. Until then, residents in North West Midland should take this seriously. Because it just takes minutes to lose it all.

Jackie Smith can be reached via email at jsmith@kmid.tv.