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State Fire Marshal finds infestation, county moves apparatus out of Duran station pending cleanup
Summary
State Fire Marshal inspectors found rodent and bat infestation, chewed wiring and contaminated equipment at the historic Duran fire station; the county will relocate apparatus to a County-owned secondary station and abate the building before returning vehicles.
Deputy Fire Chief Hannah Sanchez reported that State Fire Marshal inspection found mouse and bat infestation in the Duran fire station, chewed wiring on apparatus and damaged SCBA gear. Sanchez said the building — a historic former schoolhouse she understood was not county‑owned — was judged by inspectors to be unsafe and non‑operable for housing apparatus. "It is mouse infested, feces infested, along with bats...It has chewed up our brand‑new SCBA equipment," Sanchez told commissioners.
Fire Chief James Winham recommended relocating the assigned tanker and brush pumper to a county‑owned two‑bay substation in Duran that is not rodent‑infested, noting the district averages about one call per month and the move would preserve operational capacity while remediation occurs. Commissioners agreed the county would pursue cleaning/abatement and relocate apparatus as necessary to maintain safe, operable equipment and coverage.
