IFD to consolidate stations, including Station 16 in Butler-Tarkington
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It’s official: The Indianapolis Fire Department will consolidate stations.
Station 16, which is located in the Butler Tarkington neighborhood, has caused debate between residents and the department, will consolidate into Station 32. IFD says it’s a cost-saving measure while residents say you can’t put a price on safety.
Location, location, location isn’t just important for home buyers — it’s also crucial for entrepreneurs, no matter how young.
“We thought we wanted a place with high foot traffic so we would get a lot of customers,” 11-year old Catherine Madden said. “But not too close to the businesses because they might tell us to leave, so this is perfect.”
That perfect location is the sidewalk that runs along Illinois Street near 56th Street. It’s a place where Catherine and her best friend, also named Catherine, set up Cats Meow bake stand. They’re selling everything from homemade cookies to freshly squeezed lemonade, perhaps the best you’ll find.
The girls stayed busy throughout Saturday as neighbors stopped by. But it’s thanks to one neighbor in particular that they even set up shop to begin with.
“I feel really safe because we’re next to the fire department,” 11-year old Catherine Holtrup said.
Her mom, Sarah Holtrup, added, “Our daughters are here, and one reason we chose the location is because it’s right across the street from a fire station. And, you know, that if something were to go wrong, they’re right there.”
But they won’t be there for long. Fire Station 16 is set to consolidate into Station 32 in the next month. It’s something that Butler-Tarkington Neighborhood Association President Clark Kirkman has been fighting against for months.
“We got hundreds of signatures on our petition. We staged a rally here about a month ago, thought we had some really good points about our safety. But, unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be enough,” he said.
The biggest safety concern is response time. IFD says Station 16 averaged about four minutes and 19 seconds last year. Officials say that won’t change, even after the station consolidates and its runs go to four neighboring stations. But, Kirkman is skeptical.
“When you have a fire station that’s a block away versus a mile away, response time is going to suffer,” he said.
And if you ask Holtrup, when it comes to her daughter’s safety, every second counts, “I just hope that no one’s life will depend on a few extra minutes.”
Station 54 will be re-purposed into an IFD fitness center, administrative staff will be moved into one building and a new fire station will be built in Franklin Township. The plan, officials say, will save around $2.1 million by mid 2017.