Attorney Works to Reopen Fire Station

The attorney representing the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Assn. in its suit against the county is forging a new strategy to force fire officials to reopen Station 24.

Stephen H. Silver on Thursday requested and received a two-month continuance in the case to give him time to alter his original complaint, which was denied two weeks ago by Ventura County Superior Court Judge John J. Hunter.

“We’re either going to go for a permanent injunction or amend our complaint and file a writ of mandate to try and undo what’s already been done,” Silver said.

The firefighters union argued July 16 that closing the North Ventura Avenue firehouse would jeopardize residents and firefighters because it would mean longer response times.

But Hunter rejected the argument for a temporary restraining order that would have kept the station open while the case was fought in court. The 60-year-old firehouse closed ceremoniously July 22.

Silver said Thursday that instead of arguing for a temporary order to keep the station operating, he would begin work on the merits of the case. He contends that closing the station without firefighter approval violated terms of the employee agreement. “The time and money is better spent getting down to the nitty-gritty and arguing whether it was right or wrong,” he said.

The case is continued until Sept. 24.