Crews prepare fire station for closure

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Firefighters in North Providence spent most of Wednesday morning packing up gear and preparing the Douglas Ave. fire station for closure.

Engine Company Three is scheduled to close for good Thursday as part of what Mayor Charles Lombardi called a money-saving reorganization plan.

Firefighters packed into a town council meeting Tuesday night to protest the closure and ask for a delay. Their request was denied.

The North Providence Firefighters' Union has vowed to fight the closure in court. A hearing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in front of Providence Superior Court Judge Jeffrey A. Lamphear

Firefighters maintain closing the station will hurt response time and put lives in danger. However, Mayor Lombardi disputes those claims.

"The study clearly states that we can provide the same services we are providing," he said. "There will be no issues with public safety."

The closing of the Douglas Avenue fire station will not result in any layoffs. Instead, firefighters will be stationed at other fire houses around the town.