The discovery of mold in the walls of Paradise Fire Station No. 3 has resulted in the closure of the building for inspection and repairs. On Wednesday, firefighters and equipment assigned to the station started operating from CDF Station No. 35 on Forest Service Road.
 
Town officials say the move won't affect fire coverage for the northern region of Paradise covered by Station No. 3.
 
"The fire department will continue to respond with the same level of equipment and personnel from the CDF station so that Paradise citizens will not experience any changes in the level of emergency response currently provided," a department press release states.
 
The temporary move is necessary to "assess, remediate, and make some major repairs" to the 40-year-old structure located at 1250 Wagstaff Road.
 
According to the department, Station No. 3 has experienced drainage problems, venting and roof leaks, and other building problems over the years. The mold problem began to appear about a year ago.
 
"We had some leaks in the roof and because we had some water that got into the station, it felt like in the best interests of the people living there to call in an industrial hygienist," Division Chief John Simon said.
 
An industrial hygienist analyzes and controls environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace which may cause sickness or impaired health and well-being among workers.
The hygienist found mold growth, though it was relegated to the insides of the station's walls. Simon said this variety of mold posed no health threat to personnel.
 
Simon said the department has no idea how long Station No. 3 will be closed.
 
"We've yet to do all the inspections that are necessary to determine the extent of repairs that are needed," he said. "Inspections are continuing."
 
Likewise, he said, because the inspections are incomplete, the extent of the mold damage and the cost of repairs are not yet known.
 
This is not the first time Station No. 3 was closed but last time it was for budgetary reasons. In 1995, facing a financial crunch, the fire department alternately closed stations 2 and 3 in what Simon called "rolling brownouts."
 
Simon said he doesn't expect the town's other two stations will be closed for repairs anytime soon, but Town Manager Chuck Rough sees some changes coming eventually.
 
Station No. 1 is expected to be incorporated into the public safety building of the town's proposed Community Civic Center, a complex that would include police, fire and town administration.
Rough said there is no timeline for the civic center project because of the town's financial situation.
 
"We have a process under way now, doing a needs assessment internally of what needs would be for all the departments in the town," he said, adding he hopes to have an architect on board by the next fiscal year to do some early planning.
Station No. 2 was built in the late 1950s. It's older, but recently received a new roof, among other updates.
 
"Station 2 has gotten the bulk of repairs because it is the oldest," Simon said.
 
Rough said a population shift may eventually require moving Station No. 2 toward lower Pentz Road, where home construction has increased.
 
"That (move) probably would be achieved through Mello-Roos financing," Rough said.
 
Further mold testing at Station No. 3 is under way, according to the town. The station's office will be closed while firefighters are housed at CDF Station No. 35, so the department encourages citizens to go to Station No. 1, at 767 Birch Street, during normal business hours to take care of over-the-counter needs.
 

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