Fire poles being phased out

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - Stairs and slides are replacing the signature fire poles at many fire stations.

Safety concerns over firefighter injuries have caused many departments to phase them out, including the Portsmouth Fire Department.

"The risk is primarily falls, sprains, and strains from coming down. So when they came out to get on the engines, they came down with full gear on," said Capt. Paul Hoyle with the Portsmouth Fire Department.

An injury leaving the station would have a negative impact on the department's response.

Now stations either build their bunkrooms on the first floor or rely on stairs.

Firefighter Dan Kellogg fondly remembers the pole at Portsmouth's old Fire Station One.

"Our gear was at the bottom of the pole. We would grab ahold of the pole, slide down the pole, and put our boots and stuff on," said Kellogg.

While the old station is gone, the brass pole is still in storage.

Norfolk has several stations with fire poles, but they are the exception nationwide. They included two in their newest station to save space and time.

"They open a set of doors, they grab on to a brass pole, and they slide down. When they hit the bottom of the pole, they're right there by the apparatus," said Capt. Mike Marsala with Norfolk Fire-Rescue.

Firefighters said their job is a rewarding one.

"Helping people out, makes you feel good about your job, makes you feel good about the end of the day that you've helped people out," said Kellogg.

In a twist on the fire pole idea, some fire stations nationwide have installed slides to get their firefighters to their trucks in a hurry.