FA reported last week that the Fox River and Countryside (IL) Fire/Rescue District was looking to borrow $13 million for new equipment and an additional station. Now, dailyherald.com is reporting that unofficial results show voters approved the measure.

However, official results won’t be in until July 12.

If the results hold, the funds will be used to provide debt relief, purchase new vehicles and equipment, and fund a third fire station in St. Charles Township.

More info can be found here and here.

The third station, at a cost of $5 million with construction beginning in 2025, could improve response times by three minutes, which would be a boon as the district’s call volume is up 51% over the last 10 years, FA reported.

Another $5 million of the funds would go toward new vehicles and equipment, as the district currently has no reserve engine. The remaining $3 million would be used to pay off the debt from the construction of the other two stations.

The $13 million equates to $37.84 of additional property taxes for every $100,000 of assessed property value, which will remain in place for 10 years.

Two Grant County Fire District 7 firefighters suffered minor injuries after their fire truck rolled while battling a 300-acre fire east of Soap Lake Tuesday evening, reports ifiberone.com.

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Officials say the accident happened around 7:30 p.m. at Road 20 NE and Road B.5 NE.

No other information is available at the moment.

This vote is coming in hot!

A Champion fire station Tuesday afternoon caught fire, forcing the polling location to relocate its Primary Day voting spot, reports wwnytv.com.

West Carthage Fire Department officials say an electrical problem in the ceiling of its second station sparked things shortly after noon. One person was voting at the time, the report says.

Voting continued outdoors for a bit before it was moved next door, to the Town of Champion Highway Department building.

The equipment in the station wasn’t damaged, and no injuries were reported.

The Saltillo Fire Department recently took delivery of a $560,000 2022 Pierce Sabre semi-custom pumper. And it boasts a new twist on its design: Saltillo blue.

See more pics here.

The paint job is a nod to the local high school and aims at supporting the community, reports djournal.com.

The new pumper replaces 20-year-old Engine 1, which had issues meeting re-certification guidelines, the report says. The successor has a tighter turning radius, larger pump, and can carry more hose than does its predecessor.

It also features a 450hp engine, modern technology, a foam system, and roll-up doors on nearly all of the outside storage compartments, according to the report. The city used its engine fund and a state grant to pay down around $175,000 on the pumper, while the rest will come via low-interest loan from the Mississippi Development Authority.

The predecessor underwent some repairs, passed recertification, and was sold to a TX department. 

Engine 1, on the right:

Last August, the Soo Township Fire Department was approved by the Government Board to purchase a new fire truck. Well, Tuesday night, the apparatus was delivered.

The apparatus was built at the Spartan manufacturing plant and will replace a 1991 engine once put in service.

“Tonight, our residents received a new piece of the fire protection puzzle,” a Facebook post reads. “The great members of Soo Township Fire took delivery of a brand-new truck, with some incredible equipment. As we still have a bit to do in preparation for it to be commissioned into service officially, we will be announcing soon a date we can invite our community to come see their new truck and enjoy us putting it to work.”

See more pics of the apparatus’ progress here.