By Arnold Adler
Contributing Writer
DOWNEY — A second reopening of Fire Station 4, damaged by fire last year, is now set for April after the city discovered that a new roof was needed.
Interim Public Works Director Edwin J. Norris told the City Council in a report March 14, that repairs from the fire damage Feb. 25, 2022, were almost complete when it was discovered during the recent heavy rains that there were leaks in the roof.
The City Council approved installing a new roof at a cost of $158,686, on top of the previous cost of $143,888 for fire repairs. It was added to the contract of Global Builders, contracted for fire damage repairs and reconstruction of the station at 9349 Florence Ave.
Work on the roof is expected to be completed next month, Norris said.
He noted that the station was reopened in July 2021 after a renovation and modernization project under Measure S, which upgraded several municipal buildings.
Firemen from the station operated from a temporary site off Bellflower Boulevard during the renovation.
The cause of the February 2022 fire is still under investigation, according to Fire Chief Dan Hurlock.
The fire caused considerable damage to the building including portions of the roof, interior and exterior walls, ceilings and water damage from the fire sprinkler system, Norris said.
Fire station personnel were again relocated, this time to Fire Stations 1 and 3.
Norris said a team consisting of a construction manager, a structural engineer, an electrician and a building restoration contractor, along with the city fire inspector began work March 22, 2022 to evaluate and determine needed work.
The work, which began Dec. 5, 2022 and included demolition of damaged areas, reconstruction of interior and exterior walls, roofing, framing, drywall installation, flooring, tile, plumbing fixtures, electrical fixtures, roofing, painting and siding, Norris said in his report.
Total cost of $545,000 will be covered by insurance, he added.
In a separate fire department issue, the council approved the purchase of two replacement fire engines costing more than $2 million from South Coast Fire Equipment.
Hurlock, in a report to Council, said the new engines will replace two vehicles purchased in 2001. They are currently used as reserve emergency response apparatus, he said.
However, the new fire engines will take about 34 months to manufacturer and deliver, he said.
Upon delivery, the new vehicles will be placed in front line service while the two oldest front line engines will be placed in reserve backup mode. The current reserve engines will be taken out of service, Hurlock said.
