W. Hollywood Seeks Interim Fire Station

Concerned about structural damage found at a county firehouse in West Hollywood’s west end, a city task force has begun searching for a building that could house the firefighters until a permanent facility is found.

The West Hollywood City Council assembled the task force in late July, after the county Fire Department told city officials that in the wake of recent earthquakes, cracks had been discovered in the walls of Station No. 7, a two-story brick building in the 900 block of Hancock Avenue.

After determining that the building was structurally unsound and could collapse in a major earthquake, the task force has begun looking for temporary facilities for the 15 firefighters who work at Station 7.

City spokeswoman Helen Goss said the temporary facilities probably would be used for several years. “It’s going to take time to find a permanent site,” she said.

One possible permanent site, she added, might be the city’s proposed convention center, expected to be built on the west side. But the center is still on the drawing board and might not be completed for five years or more.

Goss said county Supervisor Ed Edelman and Fire Department officials are also involved in the search for a temporary site. “It’s the county’s responsibility, but the city is doing everything possible,” Goss said. “It’s important that our firefighters work in the safest environment possible.”