A study commissioned by the Marion Fire Department recommends the city go from two to four fire stations by 2021 to protect its growing population and demands for more service.
The study completed by the Center for Public Safety Excellence, a non-profit that accredits fire and emergency service agencies, recommends locations for a third fire station, scheduled to be built in 2018.
The report also criticizes the department's lack of full-time staffing, calling it "less than satisfactory for the risks and demands which currently exist in the city of Marion."
The reports recommends Marion add a fourth fire state by 2021, with up to 21 firefighters and officers working each shift. At this time, up to eight firefighters staff the city's two stations at 600 Eighth Ave. and 3933 Katz Dr.
While the Marion Fire Department plans to open a third station in 2018 and hire nine firefighters to staff it, the report says those staffing levels are insufficient.
City officials haven't begun planning for a fourth station.
The Marion Fire Department opened Station No. 1 in 1964 and Station No. 2 in 1991, when the city's population was about 20,000. It's now 37,000.
"It seems natural that we've doubled the population, then we need two more stations," said Fire Chief Deb Krebill. "I can see why we need two more."
The study recommends the third station go near Tower Terrace Road and 10th Street and a fourth be built near Highway 13 and 35th Avenue.
While the City Council approved hiring nine firefighters to staff Station No. 3, the report indicates it needs to hire 15 to have a minimum of five working each shift. Krebill now wants to see at least 12 firefighters hired for the third station.
In addition to improving response times, the report said, additional fire stations with proper equipment and staffing could lower the city's Insurance Service Office rating, which in turn would lower residential and business fire insurance costs.
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