Freezing Weather No Danger to Exposed Fire Equipment at Katrina-Damaged Station

by Keith Burton - GCN 1/6/09 

Gulfport officials say the Coast's current bout with freezing weather is no danger to fire equipment at the Katrina-damaged fire station located on Cowan Lorraine Road just off of U.S. 90.

The recent extremely cold weather with temperatures in the low 20's this week has not interfered with the fire engine at the station or other fire equipment, according to city officials.

"As for the cold, fire trucks are usually cranked up at several times throughout the day. Also, they are put through a full test of warning lights and sirens and hoses and other equipment each day," said Gulfport Spokesman Ryan LaFontaine in an email response to GCN.

The fire station, Fire Station No. 7, at Cowan Lorraine Road has been without walls since August 29, 2005 when hurricane Katrina slammed into the Coast. The storm severely damaged the building and efforts to get it rebuilt have been stymied since then. However, LaFontaine says the city is finally in a position to move forward to rebuild the building at a slightly different location.

"Fire Station No. 7 will be relocated to the parcel directly north of the pre-Katrina location," LaFontaine said. "Construction is estimated to start no later than April 2010," LaFontaine added.

The fire station has been operational since shortly after the 2005 hurricane. Firemen have been housed in a temporary trailer while the fire engine and and other safety equipment have been kept in the open-air station, not much different than a large carport. City officials say the new station is estimated to cost around $.1.5 million and is being funded by FEMA/MEMA Public Assistance as well a insurance funds from the damaged station.

Early during Mayor George Schloegel's administration last year, the mayor considered combining the station with another station further west, but the city learned that such a move would negatively affect the city's fire insurance rating and could increase the costs of fire insurance for homeowners city-wide.