PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- Snug is one way to describe the bay door space for fire engines at Portland's Central Fire Station.
"We had to cut these doors so they would fit in the building," says Portland Fire Chief, David Jackson.
A sinking floor is another sign of a deteriorating building at Portland's East Deering Station.
"This part of the baseboard is where the slab should be, and now the floor is sitting down here," explains Chief Jackson.
Perhaps the most visual indication of needed upgrades is the shared sleeping quarters at East Deering Station, and others alike.
"All of these stations were all built at a time there were no females on the fire department," says Chief Jackson. He says the facilities were designed at a time when only men would be using them.
"We are so far past the gender difference," says Lida Green of the Cumberland and Portland fire departments. "Most women can do the same job as the men."
NEWS CENTER Maine interviewed Lida Green over the summer. She's been in this field more than fifteen years.
"We've had as high as up to almost twenty females in the department," says Chief Jackson. He says his department could set a statewide example of how to address the upgrades. They are looking at departments in other cities, similar in size, for guidance.
According to Chief Jackson, they remain in the planning stages, and there is no timeline for work to begin. Regarding paying for the construction, the city might be eligible to apply for state and federal grants.
An outside consulting firm recently released its findings after reviewing Portland's fire stations. It recommends replacing several of the department's buildings; East Deering, Central, Rosemont, North Deering, and Riverton.