Some S. Fla Fire Stations Closing Monday

MIAMI (CBS Miami) – Several fire stations will close their doors beginning Monday morning leaving some South Florida communities without necessary services.

At 7:00 a.m. fire trucks and rescue trucks from West Sunset, Miami Lakes, Miami Gardens, Miami Shores and Modello will not be in operation for the day.

Officials said the closures are a direct result of budget constraints.

Firefighters will be protesting the closures and welcome local residents and elected officials to join them at two locations.

West Sunset Fire Station 56 at 16250 Southwest 72nd Street in Miami at 6:00 am Monday morning and Miami Lakes Fire Station 64 at 8205 Commerce Way in Miami Lakes at 5:00 p.m. Monday afternoon.

Station 56 happens to be the only hazardous materials unit the county has south of the Dolphin Expressway.

For now, the calls that would have normally come into the affected stations will be handled by other units.

According to officials, the county must close the stations ahead of the new fiscal year to avoid starting the year over budget.