What's Next For Coweta Firefighters After Mold Found In Station

The City of Coweta will abandon a 1940’s era Fire Station because of a chronic mold problem that has firefighters complaining of allergy like symptoms.

New test results released Thursday indicate higher than acceptable levels of mold. Initial testing two weeks ago led to firefighters working out of the station only during the day, and sleeping at a hotel with trucks just outside.

The report on the mold indicated it could be cleaned, but the City decided to go ahead with long term, temporary housing, by placing mobile homes in a parking lot behind the station. The trucks will remain in their bays, with firefighters just across the street.

The Fire Department building is adjacent to, but separate from the Police Department, and it is not affected by the mold.

Both departments will move into a new Public Safety Center now being designed, and expected to open in about two years.

The existing Fire Station will be demolished, according to City Manager Roger Coleman.

Interim Fire Chief Brian Woodward said the wall most affected by the mold is on the North side which had leaked for his entire career.

“Whether it's a little or a lot, it's always been that way,” he said.

The north wall is part of the kitchen and sleeping areas for firefighters.

Chief Woodward said the testing showed high levels of mold, much higher than tests in past years, prompting him to shop for mobile homes, with plans to place them behind the station by the water towers.

“It's on a blacktop area, we've already got the sewer, electric, the data, everything is right there so when we get it approved we can jump right on it,” he said.

Firefighters could move as soon as the end of next week.