Charleston fire stations infested with bed bugs – ABC NEWS 4

This photo was given to ABC News 4. The provider said it shows furniture discarded by local firefighters as the result of a bed bug infestation.

According to firefighters, three Charleston County fire stations are infested with bed bugs. On Monday, a retired firefighter, Captain Joe Johnston spoke on behalf of others who won't speak up out of fear of retaliation.

Johnston said its been going on for a couple months and adds several firefighters have carried bed bugs from work to home. Now there's question if the situation is being handled properly.

He said he became alarmed when text messages and pictures started coming through. The pictures showed piles of infested office furniture outside Fire Stations 20, 13, and seven.

"It's a major problem, it's neglect is what it is, this is something you can manage very easily, Johnston said.

Its an issue the firefighters said was ignored by their interim fire chief.

"The crews are actually getting eaten alive, he said. They're taking it home and nobody is showing or expressing they care. Where do you go?"

For those at station seven, they go outside where there's working tents and showers. But with no signs of extermination, Johnston said it's only a matter of time before the pests follow. He said he and his family have been through a bed bug infestation before.

"If you haven't experienced it, you don't know what you're up against, Johnston said. "I know what they're up against, I know the politics of it, I know how it is. I want to be able to help them get the help they need and deserve."

In a statement Monday night, the Charleston Fire Department confirmed an infestation at three stations.

Once the problem was identified at Station 20 the firefighters were relocated to Station 18 while a professional contractor proceeded with the treatment, inspection, and cleaning of the station utilizing a chemical treatment process. Upon completion of the process, crews returned to the station, but still observed signs of infestation. Crews were again relocated as the professional contractor applied another treatment. Information was distributed to the department outlining recommended preventive measures to reduce the spread of the pests.

Bedbugs were reported at Station 13 and then Station 7 this past week. A specially trained K-9 that detects bedbugs was brought in to search the buildings and alerted on a few of the mattresses and sofas at both stations. The items were removed from the station for disposal at Station 7 and some of the items were removed from Station 13. Crew concerns halted further furniture removal at Station 13 until the affected living areas can be treated.

The crews from both stations were relocated to two air-conditioned Wester Shelters, temporary structures frequently used by urban search and rescue teams and wildland fire teams for crew operations. The tents have been erected outside of Station 13 along with a portable shower and toilet facility to reduce the impact on emergency services coverage in the area. The interior kitchen space was isolated from the impacted living spaces based on recommendations from a professional pest control manager and the bedbug K-9 handler to provide the crews with access to essential laundry facilities, stove and refrigeration.

During this period, the CFD has taken several steps to address the problem, including the hiring of a professional pest control company to treat Station 20, shifting mitigation strategy to heat treatment to address employee concerns, and issuing updates that reinforce best practices to reduce the likelihood of spread to other stations or firefighter's homes. In addition, Interim Chief John Tippett has directed all city fire stations be inspected by the specially trained K9 to ensure that they are free of bedbugs or identified rapidly for mitigation. One additional station (Fire Station 19) was inspected based on a concern, but found to be free of the problem. Additionally, the department is working with Charleston Housing Authority to obtain use of their heating units to apply to the affected stations. Due to the holiday weekend the department was unable to deploy the equipment through the housing authority and had to take measures with temporary housing in order to ensure we maintained protection of the residents in the area.

The statement also said no members have advised the Safety Officer of any reports of bed bugs beyond these stations or at their homes. Interim Fire Chief Tippett said they're committed to resolving the issue as quickly as possible.

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Charleston fire stations infested with bed bugs - ABC NEWS 4