The charred remains of 33 Rankin Avenue in Troy, serving as a backdrop as Troy's Uniformed Firefighters Union said there is a big problem in the city that needs a solution.
"The residents of the building next to us called for help at approximately 6AM on the morning of the 24th of October. When they called, Engine 2 the first new and nearest piece of fire equipment sat in the station without any firefighters unable to respond," says David Paul.
That's because Union President David Paul says there are only three firefighters at a time assigned to the station down the street fromRPI, and crews from the city's other stations took two to three minutes longer to respond, leaving the fire more time to expand out of control...burning out a staircase that contributed to the injury of firefighter Ray Littlejohn.
"One of our members nearly lost his life after falling approximately 20 feet from the second floor through the fire on the first floor and into the basement," says Paul.
Paul says the union has tried to make the city aware of the problems for months, but has met with no response from the city or RPI, which is in the middle of station two's service area.
The union is planning to mount a petition drive after next week's elections, seeking five to ten thousand signatures in the hopes of spurring action from the city.
"This is an issue that we want the citizens to consider on its own merits. We don't want them to think that we're coming around endorsing or not endorsing, behind or against any politicians. This is strictly an issue of public safety for us," says Paul.
Firefighter Littlejohn didn't wish to talk on camera today, but said he is okay other than feeling a little beat up after the fall.
The Troy Mayor's office offered no comment on the issue.
