Portland officials may take disciplinary action against employees after a homemade sign was posted last week in front of a Munjoy Hill fire station telling residents that it had been closed.
The city had periodically taken the station’s ambulance out of service during the overnight hours, when call volumes are the lowest, to reduce spending on overtime, apparently prompting some rank-and-file members to place a sign in front of the Munjoy Station at 134 Congress St., saying “Closed per city gov’t.” City Manager Jon Jennings called the sign “childish” and said he is looking into whether any discipline is warranted.
Jennings said the crew did a disservice to area residents, who were led to believe the city had closed the entire station.
“What angered and disappointed me the most (is they were) giving the impression the entire station was closed,” Jennings said. “Those types of childish antics won’t stand with me being city manager. That’s just how it’s going to be.”
Meanwhile, city officials say the ambulance is expected to see regular service now that 12 new recruits have joined the Fire Department.