A BATTLE IS BREWING IN OCEAN CITY BETWEEN IAFF LOCAL 4269, OCEAN CITY CAREER FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDICS ASSOCIATION AND LOCAL LEADERS
Ocean City, MD - Tensions are escalating between the IAFF Local 4269, the Ocean City Career Firefighter Paramedics Association, and local leadership in Ocean City. The firefighters have raised concerns about several issues, primarily related to their newly constructed firehouse and essential service equipment.
Located at 65th Street and Coastal Highway, the firehouse has been sarcastically referred to as the "Taj Mahal of fire stations" by the firefighter association. Despite its impressive $12 million price tag, the building reportedly suffers from significant heating and electrical problems.
Recently, local firefighters expressed their grievances on Facebook, highlighting that the new station lacks heating in the living quarters. In winter, this is more than just an inconvenience; it is a basic necessity that should be provided in any modern building, especially a state-of-the-art fire station.
In addition to the heating issues, there are ongoing electrical problems that ironically force staff to resort to practices they usually caution against. Extension cords are being stretched across floors due to unresolved electrical faults, creating a potential fire hazard in a facility designed to combat such dangers.
Another significant concern raised by Local 4269 is the sudden and unexplained removal of a critical ultrasound machine from their ambulance service. Introduced two years ago, this device was celebrated as a lifesaving upgrade, funded by the Ocean City Paramedics Foundation to enhance patient care.
The Ocean City Career Firefighter Paramedics Association has expressed disappointment with local leadership regarding these issues. They believe that they, along with both residents and visitors to the city, deserve better service.
As these problems come to light, it remains unclear how local leaders will respond and address these critical issues, which have now become a matter of public concern. This situation needs resolution quickly, especially with the start of the season approaching, as the St. Patrick's Day parade is just one month away!
