The city of Dallas has planned to downgrade two North Oak Cliff fire stations, so the Old Oak Cliff Conservation District is encouraging local residents to sign an online petition to voice their displeasure with the decision.

The city has planned to downgrade stations No. 26 on Westmoreland Road and Jefferson Boulevard and No. 15 on Eighth Street and Patton Avenue because of budget issues. If the stations experience downgrades, the nearest hook-and-ladder truck that would serve the area will be located downtown.

Here is the message from the petition:

"We the citizens of North Oak Cliff request that current plans to downgrade Fire Station 26 on Westmoreland and Fire Station 15 on Eighth St. be reconsidered. Moving these operations further south leaves North Oak Cliff and our older stock of historic structures vulnerable to catastrophic fire. The closest hook and ladder would now have to travel from Akard Street downtown making their trips susceptible to traffic, road and bridge construction and any other number of variables at a time when seconds are crucial. Road and bridge construction through this area is scheduled to increase dramatically with Beckley, Ft. Worth Ave, Sylvan and I-35 tentatively scheduled for changes. A large majority of Old Oak Cliff Conservation League neighborhoods are served by these stations. The largest concentration of the city's historic and conservation districts are found in these areas. They are irreplaceable and their loss would be felt city wide. Leaving us unprotected is unacceptable."

So far, nearly 400 people have signed the petition.

For more information, visit the Old Oak Cliff Conservation District website.