On the Fire Station
Dear Editor,
Our two fire station buildings are outdated, inefficient, unhealthy, and past their prime. Winthrop is sandwiched between two major entities: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority [MWRA} and Logan Airport. Winthrop firefighters need the safest, most efficient, and most effective work environment to perform their jobs as first responders. We are responsible and obligated to provide our firefighters with a physically healthy work environment free of mold, asbestos, and other dangerous toxins. Winthrop’s two existing fire station buildings were constructed in 1880 and 1905. Many towns and cities across the commonwealth have replaced their fire station buildings with new ones and their existing firehouses are not nearly as ancient and outdated as Winthrop’s.
We cannot “fix up” our existing fire station buildings. It has been explained countless times why these buildings are no longer viable for public safety use and must be replaced by a centrally located firehouse. Every Winthrop resident who is a registered voter needs to tour both fire station buildings and see the conditions our firefighters are being exposed to. In my opinion, the conditions are beyond deplorable. I am surprised we have not lost some Winthrop firefighters to other communities that provide better, safer, and healthier working conditions. There is a cost to providing first responders with the tools they need to protect our community from potential fire, and many other types of emergencies that may occur. A safe work environment is one of those costs. Let us accept that and move forward.
The conversations have always been focused on location and cost, and not necessarily the well-being of our first responders. There are many health hazards firefighters are exposed to at the fire station buildings. That’s factual. We cannot ignore it any longer. There is no way to ‘band-aid’ our current situation to make it workable. It is not an option. Our only way out is to take on the debt exclusion and build a new fire station. This issue of a new fire station has been on the docket for a long time. It is not a new issue for the Winthrop community. It has been jockeyed through various town council leadership(s) for years. And here we are in 2025 still trying to slay the dragon on this issue. The dragon is now breathing fire and the only way to extinguish this fire is to build a new fire station, which comes with a price tag we must deal with.
Our first responders deserve far better than they have had to deal with. Our community deserves better. I challenge every resident with the power of their vote to tour both fire station buildings, look our first responders in the face, and tell them the conditions are fine. Come spring, when it is time to step up at the ballot box on this issue, I implore you to vote in favor of the debt exclusion and let us get this done. Let us prove to our first responders that we care about them and value their contribution to this community.
Scott Mahoney-Wright
Precinct 3 / Point Shirley