Bids to build a new $14.5 million fire station for the Waconia (MN) Fire Department were approved at a recent city council meeting and the new facility is expected to open in the summer of 2024, according to a report published by Sun Patriot Newspapers.

The city got 125 bids for 27 work scopes that are all part of the over all project, according to the report, that added the cost of the fire station is far more than the original estimate of $10 to $12 million.

A consultant for the project said a tight construction market, inflation and the difficulties getting building materials were all factors in the increased cost, according to the report. It was also reported that because of lead times for getting materials, construction won’t begin until next summer and will take about 11 months to complete.

Ground was broken for a new fire station in Silsbee (Texas) making it the sixth such facility in Hardin County Emergency Services District No. 6, according to a report published in The Examiner.

According to the report, the new station will be on a 12-acre site at the old Kirby Elementary School and will improve services and help decrease insurance costs. The building is expected to be 30,000 square feet, with 4,800 square feet dedicated to the apparatus bay for eight trucks, 7,000 square foot operational unit area, 1,200 foot meeting room, and 2,400 square feet for storage.

The station will have 100 cots, a back up generator four showers and restrooms, according to the report, which added that the new facility is expected to be done by next fall.

The Cranston (RI) Fire Department has received a $1 million Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant program for a new aerial, according to a report published by Patch.com RI.

According to the report, Cranston is one of three Rhode Island communities to receive funds from AFG.

Additionally, Middletown got $383,810 for communications equipment including radios and Providence got $1,089,416 for training, gear cleaning equipment and a $240,000 ambulance, according to the report.

Traffic diverters, planters, boulders and other delineators placed in a New York City intersection hindered a FDNY fire truck from responding to a medical emergency sparking criticism of the Department of Transportation attempt to create open streets, according to report published by Astoria Post.

The barriers were installed on 34th Street in the Jackson Heights section of the city, according to the report, which added the demarcations are part of a visionary and safety enhancing initiative started by the DOT and supported by some advocates.

However, a number of residents say the barriers make it difficult for emergency vehicles, like fire trucks and ambulances to navigate and could thwart responses, according to the report. A video taken by an opponent of the measure shows an FDNY engine having difficulties navigating the maze of barriers, the report says, noting that the video went viral prompting responses from both advocates and proponents of the traffic restricting efforts.

According to the report, FDNY officials signed off on the initiative and didn’t give any indication that apparatus would have difficulty negotiating the intersection. The report also said FDNY has said there were no issues with the response, despite what appears to be clear evidence that the truck had difficulties navigating and ultimately backed out of the intersection after two firefighters jumped out to assess the situation.

The person who videoed the encounter can be heard making commentary about the state of affairs and how she disagreed with the Open Streets initiative that the DOT is planning to make permanent.

The Northborough (MA) Fire Department is closer to building its new fire station with the acceptance of the deed for the $1.1 million parcel of land for the facility, according to a report published by Community Advocate.

According to the report, voters appropriated $3.5 million for the purchase of the land in 2019, as well as funds to pay for site costs, a project manager and architectural service for the new station.

The site formerly had a garage and diesel fuel tanks on it which needed to be removed and land cleaned before the deed could be transferred, according to three report which indicated it took about a year to complete.

The current station was built in 1975 and firefighters say the department’s mission has grown since then and now includes an ambulance service which means a larger facility is required, according to the report.