Oakland Fire Stations 25 and 28 will close for 6 months to balance the city’s $129 million budget deficit.

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — As Oakland faces a crippling $129 million budget shortfall, two fire stations are expected to close next week to help close the gap, which could lead to slower response times for some residents.

“There are no fire stations we can afford to close. We need all the fire stations we have and more,” said Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington.

Covington said the data led them to these stations, which are among the least crowded.

According to the latest published fire response report, Oakland firefighters responded to more than 54,000 calls in 2023.

Fire Station 28 responded to 405 of them and Fire Station 25 responded to 834 calls. These are the two fire stations that will close.

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“Right now, these two fire stations will be closed for the next six months until the end of the fiscal year. At the end of the fiscal year, these fire stations will reopen. And if we need to continue to put out fire stations, from there we will move on to different fire stations,” Covington said.

Firefighters from locomotives 28 and 25 will be sent to other stations. The city administrator said he was aware of the impact.

“It’s not a very good place for us right now, but our goal is to find a stronger solution,” said Oakland City Administrator Jestin Johnson.

The risk of fire is the main concern for many people living in the area, with the nearest train station approximately 10 minutes away.

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“We’re heartbroken. It’s just sad,” said Arianna Cruz, co-owner of Charlie May Coffee and Tea House.

“The last fire we had in this area was kind of our first line of defense,” said co-owner Analyssa Cruz.

“There’s a lot of trees, a lot of houses, a lot of big houses, and it’s very dry in the summer. So yeah, it’s scary,” said Oakland resident River Motley.

Covington said closing those fire stations through June will save Oakland about $5 million, but response times will be delayed.

“It’s naive to think that — again, I don’t say this lightly — to think that people won’t be hurt or killed because of these decisions,” said Seth Olyer, the chapter’s vice president. Oakland Fire Union IAFF Local 55. .