Lawrence Reopens Fire Station Closed In 2009 Budget Cuts

LAWRENCE (CBS) - Historic Fire Station No. 6 in Lawrence is open again, more than two years after budget cuts forced it to shut down.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker reports

A $6.6 million grant from FEMA gave the city the money to rehire or hire 38 firefighters and begin reopening three stations that were closed back in 2009.

The Prospect Hill Fire House officially re-opened Tuesday morning in a ceremony hosted by Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua.

Lantigua also swore in the city's new fire chief Jack Bergeron.

"This is really a tremendous boost to the neighborhood. It really has a great psychological effect to know the city once again is able to staff a local fire house," Bergeron told WBZ NewsRadio 1030.

Lawrence has been relying on fire departments from surrounding communities to help cover the city.

Lantigua hopes to have funding in place to keep the fire house open when the grant money runs out in two years.

WBZ-TV's Sera Congi reports