December 29, 2000 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH100086) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (334) 208-5806/Fax: (334) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@ci.mobile.al.us MOBILE FIRE-RESCUE TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE FIRE STATION FOR REPAIRS Fire Officials will be temporarily closing the Tapia Fire Station, located at 4710 Airport Boulevard, sometime this afternoon; December 29, 2000 for needed repairs. The Trucks located at the station will be moved to other stations nearby. Ladder Truck 5 and Reserve Rescue Truck 22 will be moved to Freeman Station #1 located at 6801 Overlook Road. Engine 22 and Water Tanker 36 will be relocated to the Mobile Regional Airport Station. This will cause a minimum impact and all units will remain in operation and are still in their first assigned running areas. For the past 6-8 months the City has been working to fix an unknown problem causing Sinus and Upper Respiratory problems with the firefighters assigned to the station. This move is necessary to bring the problem to a conclusion. The plan is to remove and replace the Heating and Air Conditioning Ductwork in the station. Also a consultant is being hired to ensure there are no other problems in the station that could be causing the illnesses. It is unknown how long this work will take and when the units will be moved back into the station. The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department also thanks the staff of the Mobile Regional Airport for their help and assistance in allowing the units to be relocated in the airport fire station. ###