The project has been in the city’s capital improvements plan for several years, but previously had to be postponed because of lack of funding. Earlier this month, Petoskey City Council members approved a bid to finally begin work on the project. The final tally on the bid came out to nearly $7,000 less than what city officials had budgeted for in years past.

 

The “overhead doors” that will be replaced are the four roll-down doors on the front of the fire station, 100 W. Lake St. According to information in the capital improvements plan, the 30-year-old doors have rubber seals surrounding the glass windows, offering insulation. Over time, those seals have broken down, allowing condensation between the glass panes and reducing energy efficiency.

A vehicle extrication demonstration will be a key part of the New Baltimore Fire Department’s open house, which is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the station on Green Street. The vehicle extrication demonstration will take place at noon.  

“We will use the Jaws of Life to cut a car apart,” New Baltimore Fire Chief Jeff Stellman said. “We will probably have four firefighters running that scenario.”

The event will also include other indoor and outdoor activities. A series of community-oriented activities are planned for the open house, including a lottery board, raffle and children’s activities. Hot dogs, chips and pop will be available for a donation.

Police say according to eyewitnesses, a 2013 Infiniti was heading north near the Atwells Avenue overpass when the driver apparently lost control, crossed all lanes of traffic, struck the concrete barrier and rolled over, leaving the car on its roof in the high-speed lane. The driver then ran off, according to police.

Moments later, troopers received a report of a car striking a Providence fire engine that had responded to the rollover crash. Police say the truck was parked in the northbound lanes of I-95 with its emergency lights activated when it was hit.  

Part of Engine 3's bumper got ripped off and it's now in the repair shop being assessed.

Engine No. 4 served Rancho Cucamonga for 30 years. It was eventually sold to the fire department in Baker where it would spend 10 years working in the desert community along the 15 Freeway.  

Eventually, though, the 1959 American LaFrance vehicle just had to be replaced  and was put up for sale.  

Now retired, Klusman had taken up restoring antique tractors and old autos as a hobby. Talking with a firm in Rialto, he heard the story of old Engine No. 4 and its ignominious desert parking spot.

Major renovations started in the fall of last year after mold was found inside the walls of the bunk area where firefighters sleep.

"We noticed a smell, and we just kept having problems with moisture," said Belton Fire Chief Bruce Pritchard.

Pritchard said the quality of the air was tested to make sure firefighters were not at risk of getting sick.

"Once they came and did the tests, that's the only place the mold was. The firefighters were never in danger," Pritchard said. "It wasn't exposed to the outside area. They found it once they got in it, so the living area was never exposed to the mold."