Cost-cutting affects response time to house fire
7:35 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Topeka firefighters admit cost-cutting measures cost them precious time today when rushing to a house fire.
Firefighters were called to the home at 613 SE Hancock shortly before noon today.
The nearest fire station is Station 3.
But the fire department stopped staffing Engine 3, which carries water, to save money.
Instead, fire Engine 6 was called, which is another 2 to 3 minutes away.
The family of 7 who lives inside rushed out, then waited and waited for crews to arrive.
"It took them a little while but they got here. I mean, I had to call them twice before they actually got here," resident James Meador said. "It made me want them to hurry to get here."
"In this situation, it would've just minimized the damage to the structure," acting battalion chief Edward DeWitt said. "Had it been more involved when we got here, it could've been a big difference. And if somebody had been in there, it could've been a big difference."
That family, two parents and five children, all got out safely.
Firefighters were able to rush in and save the family's two dogs.
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