WESTBROOK – Firefighters and residents came to a city Finance Committee meeting Monday to protest any plans to close Fire Station 3 on Route 302. There was no need for their presence, however. All committee members said they had no intention of closing the station, but they did want to make it safe for residents and the firefighters who work at that station, which could mean a future expansion.

During a Finance Committee meeting last month, Councilor Victor Chau asked to add the closing of Station 3 to the committee’s revisit list, which is used to take a closer look at any items the members need more information on before they make their decision whether to fund the project.

“We have to ask the question, ‘Can we save money?” said Chau during the April 8 meeting.

Chau explained to the crowd that the committee was not looking to close the station. He just wanted more information about the safety of the building and potential ways to save on the rising overtime cost of the fire department.

According to Chau, the fire department is on track to spend $498,000 this year on overtime, more than $250,000 above the department’s overtime budget for the year of $225,000. Last year the department spent $255,000 in overtime. In 2011, the department spent $395,000, and it spent $392,000 in 2010.

Chief Mike Pardue, director of public safety, said about one-third of his fire staff had been out on sick or medical leave throughout the year, accounting for the increase in overtime cost. He asked for $250,000 in overtime for next year’s budget, a $25,000 increase.

“That’s a little under $2 million in five years,” Chau said. “Overtime is a problem, a big problem.”

But, Chau pointed out, this year the councilors did not put the overtime charge on the revisit list. Chau said a member of the fire department had emailed, asking him to take a closer look at how well staffed Station 3 was and if the station was safe.

“I spoke with the chief [Pardue] and he reassured me that the station is safe and standard,” Chau said.

Four people are stationed at the building on 24- or 12-hour shifts.

Pardue said the typical national standards say if two people go into a burning building, there must be two outside to rescue them if needed, plus someone to operate the truck, known as the “two-in-two-out” rule.

Councilor Mike Sanphy, whose ward covers the fire station, said he was an avid supporter of the keeping the station open. He emphasized that the station needed to be expanded to house more staff and equipment, saying the engine now at the station is like “sending a squirt gun to a bonfire.”

“I’ve always said one of the key pieces left was a new structure over in that area,” said Councilor John O’Hara. “Something needs to be done at that site. It’s a big mistake to close it. I’m not supporting closing it, but we need to start somewhere chipping away at the problem.”

O’Hara said he expected the city to need to build a new fire station in Ward 5 in the next decade.

Mayor Colleen Hilton said two years ago the city explored the potential of working with the Portland Fire Department and expand their Riverton Station, the closest station to Westbrook, but the price was not feasible.

“It’s our responsibility looking forward to provide safe services and reduce costs,” Hilton said. “There are no plans to close or make any changes.”