sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com
News File Photo
Alpena Township firefighters battle a blaze near U.S.-23 north of Alpena earlier this month.
ALPENA TOWNSHIP The Alpena Township Fire Department may have to temporarily close its south side fire station if officials can’t address a severe staffing short before the end of the month.
After Dec. 30, the department will only have two full-time employees, which would not be enough to man both of its fire stations.
The township intends to open talks with Alpena city officials about providing assistance at the south side station.
Last week, the Alpena Municipal Council voted to stop negotiations on merging the city and township fire departments.