(WNY News Now) – JAMESTOWN, NY — The Jamestown Fire Department has installed a new firefighter decontamination system at Station 1, funded by a $25,000 reimbursement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a $5,000 fine collected through Jamestown Housing Court.
The EPA’s Local Governments Reimbursement (LGR) Program provided funds to offset costs tied to the emergency demolition of 1061 Allen Street—the former Crawford Furniture complex. The property was deemed structurally unsound and contaminated after a major fire in November 2022. The additional fine against Allen Street Development, LLC, the property’s owner, further supported the installation of the system.
City officials say the new equipment ensures firefighters can safely decontaminate gear after exposure to hazardous materials, reducing health risks while improving emergency readiness.
“This investment protects our firefighters, who face hazardous exposures every time they respond to a fire,” said Crystal Surdyk, Director of Development. “With this equipment in place, we can ensure their gear is properly decontaminated, reducing long-term health risks and strengthening our overall emergency response capacity.”
Interim Fire Chief Ryan Roush described the system as a “critical tool” for firefighter health and preparedness. “They face exposure to hazardous materials on nearly every call, and having the ability to properly clean and maintain their gear at the station is essential for both their health and readiness.” Roush said.
The 1061 Allen Street site had been a longstanding problem, repeatedly cited for code violations. When corrective action was not taken, the City imposed fines and legal restrictions on the owners’ future property involvement.
Mayor Kimberly Ecklund highlighted the importance of accountability, noting that community resources are strained when property owners fail to act. “Unsafe buildings put residents, first responders, and public resources at risk,” Ecklund said. “As a City, we will hold owners accountable for their inaction and reinvest recovered funds to turn those failures into stronger protections, strengthening public safety and safeguarding Jamestown’s future.”
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