Coweta firefighters on duty will spend evenings and overnights at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Coweta beginning Wednesday, March 8th, to minimize their time within the firehouse living quarters while further mold testing is conducted and a remediation plan is prepared. Firefighters were experiencing some symptoms of mold allergies and brought their concerns to Interim Fire Chief Brian Woodward. Chief Woodward immediately ordered outside testing through Serv-Pro. The testing results are positive for mold such that firefighters should limit their exposure. More extensive testing is needed to determine the full extent of the issue and the specific nature of the mold. The City of Coweta has authorized that testing and will take place next week. Once the test results are complete, a remediation plan with costs and options will be generated for city officials and CFD to evaluate. We will provide more information once the results and plan options are complete.
Important facts about this situation:
- During the day, the crew will still operate out of the fire station but will spend their time primarily in the fire bays, which do not share the same HVAC system as the living quarters.
- During the evening and overnight hours, the crew will operate out of the hotel for the next week to two weeks. An ambulance, engine, and any other apparatus that conditions warrant (such as a brush truck on a high wind / fire danger day) will be staged at the hotel overnight with the crew.
- Additional video surveillance has been installed at the hotel to help protect the public investment in fire equipment.
- The hotel is located near the station, which will keep response times to typical times for CFD while operating from the hotel.
- The public has approved funding for a new fire station. That project is underway; a Construction Manager at Risk has been hired, and City Council will consider hiring an architect at the April council meeting.
- The new station will not be ready for occupancy until late 2024 or early 2025.