Temple decommissions Fire Station 2 after Stachybotrys found; firefighters moved to Station 1, city plans temporary housing and $1.1M renovation

City officials announced July 11 that Fire Station 2, on the south edge of Wilson Park on East Avenue H, was taken out of service as a living facility after air and surface testing detected Stachybotrys mold in living quarters. Firefighters currently based at Station 2 have been temporarily reassigned to Station 1; their fire engines continue to operate from Station 2’s apparatus bays.

The City’s presenter said the mold problem was first raised in November 2022 and that staff and contractors have carried out multiple remediation steps since then, including replacement of HVAC equipment and removal of contaminated drywall. She said a targeted test on June 23 identified Stachybotrys, and city staff moved personnel out “as soon as we got those results.”

The city described the contamination as airborne and inside wall cavities rather than obvious surface growth visible on entry. “Mold is fungus…you just wanna control it,” the presenter said, adding that acceptable testing results should show outdoor spore levels higher than indoor levels. Staff said follow‑up testing showed the organism had spread from the quarantined sleeping room into other living spaces.

Immediate steps and timeline - The city has been operating air scrubbers and dehumidifiers at Station 2 since May and June testing showed elevated Penicillium/Aspergillus counts in some areas. Staff said they did not receive the specific Stachybotrys lab report until July 3 and moved people out once the lab confirmed the species. - As a temporary measure, the city is coordinating purchase and utility hookups for a single‑wide, 39‑foot Clayton mobile home (three bedrooms, two baths) to be placed adjacent to Station 2 so crews can remain in their coverage area. Staff said they hoped to have the unit in place the week immediately after the July 11 presentation and will seek formal council approval of the purchase at the Aug. 7 meeting. - Fire apparatus will continue to operate from Station 2’s apparatus bays while firefighters live elsewhere; staff said response coverage will remain but that response times might be delayed in some calls during the transition.

Planned renovation and costs City staff said Station 2 requires a more extensive renovation than the budget originally anticipated. An architect’s initial assessment raised the project estimate to about $1,100,000. Staff said the work will include remediation, improved building envelope construction, private bathrooms and additional bedrooms to meet multigender staffing needs, upgraded gear storage and ventilation, and enhanced construction to allow the station to serve as a storm shelter. The presenter characterized the station’s original envelope work as failing (tapes and foam backer board failing) and said the building appeared to have been constructed without the secondary sheathing and moisture barriers expected in modern construction.

Council discussion and next steps Council members pressed staff on testing timelines, communication with firefighters and the public, and how the city will prioritize funds. Staff said the station renovation was already prioritized in the city’s business plan and that Station 2 is being elevated to the top of that list. Staff also said the temporary trailer used at Station 2 will be moved to Station 4 after the renovation is complete so it can be used elsewhere.

Quotations “Mold is fungus…you just wanna control it. You want the levels of mold actually to be higher outside when you do testing than it is inside,” the presenter said when explaining why air testing compares indoor and outdoor spore counts. “As soon as I read those [lab] results, I said, get them out of there,” a staff member said, describing the July 3 decision to relocate sleeping quarters.

What the city will bring back to council Staff said the city will proceed with the mobile‑home purchase and bring a formal contract and funding request to the council on Aug. 7, and will seek competitive bids to carry out the station renovation once the design and contract documents are prepared.

Public‑health and operational notes Staff emphasized the difference between visible surface mold and airborne contamination inside wall cavities and ductwork, and said comprehensive remediation, building‑envelope repairs and HVAC replacement are required to prevent recurrence. Officials said they will continue to provide updates to employees and the public as remediation, design, and procurement proceed.