An inner view of the New Hannover County Fire Station 13 at the beginning of the CDC examinations

Castle Hayne, NC (et) – despite the concerns of firefighters, devastating criticism From the International Association of Firefighers and a new federal investigation, the new Hannover County officials are still confident that Feuerwache 13 in Castle Hayne is safe and does not represent any danger if their doors remain open.

“We see no reason why this building is not sure to be here for our people,” said Donnie Hall, fire chief of County, on Tuesday.

The district opened the station for an exclusive tour, a week after New Hannover County Commissioners had been informed of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health – a department of the centers for the control and prevention of illnesses – will rate the station on its effects on the health of the fire brigade reducers and provide the district recommendations.

Port every day First, the news reported on the examination of the CDC.

The station, which opened in the 1980s, was associated with a variety of health problems. In January, the Iaff sent a letter to district leaders, in which a survey quoted under 23 people who had worked in the facility. 13 of them reported serious health problems – including various forms of cancer, several cases of gallbladder breakdown and severe stomach pain.

Hall said, however, that the district had not found a “direct connection” between the station and some health concerns. When asked, he did not seem to be aware of the survey, which the Iaff quoted, and said the employees were encouraged to contact Jon Campbell Jon Campbell and to talk privately about the relationship between facility and health problems.

The building fought with recurring form problems, officers said on Tuesday, mainly on one half of the building that is separated from the spot where the crews sleep. The PFAS contamination in water and equipment is also worrying due to the location of the facility near a former superfund dangerous place of waste.

A new station 13 less than a mile down the road is expected to open in September. The facility will be more modern, with individual bedrooms, more space and healthier conditions, officers said. The district will evaluate the water quality on the property and undertake “appropriate” damage to the damage, said Campbell.

“We don't expect any problems with the security of this facility,” said Hall.

In the meantime, Hall and Campbell said that the district does what it takes to keep the crews in the existing facility healthy.

This includes the scanning of air quality twice a year and, if necessary, isolates firefighters immediately when companies enter into third -party providers to treat problems. The district also works closely with the state to test PFAS, said Campbell, and the latest results were calming and show that the filtration system of the station is effective and safe.

Firefighters have also decided to drink water in bottles and shower at other stations to reduce exposure, officials said. The district has also offered them annual occupational safety tests with a job provider, and in the past few weeks many firefighters have carried out ultrasound tests to determine potential medical problems.

“New Hannover County takes care of all employees who work for their organization,” said Campbell. “We know that the fire brigade industry has additional risk acquisition, and I think the district has taken proactive steps.”

The investigation results from an application in February to evaluate the station, as can be seen from an e -mail from the deputy district manager Lisa Wurzbacher on March 10 to County Commissioners. On March 4, Hall, Campbell and others met with representatives from Niosh by phone to discuss the evaluation, said the e -mail.

The work of the CDC consisted of checking documents, the test results and can contain a visit on site, according to the e -mail. The district sent water, air and mold test results from 2022 to the agency last week.

The CDC said that its program for evaluating the health risk is not commented on for active reviews. The district does not pay for the assessment and no fines or quotes are issued, regardless of the results, confirmed the CDC.

The investigation will “benefit everyone”, said Hall, ensuring that the district offers its employees the “safest building”.

“We take the security of our firefighters very seriously,” said the fire chief. “We continue to check everything we may be able to ensure that we ensure an environment for our firefighters throughout the district.”

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