After closing in 2012, the Chartley (MA) fire station reopened on Friday—possibly only temporarily, though.

Norton Fire – Rescue was able to reopen the facility thanks to a $1,034,197 SAFER grant, which will pay the salaries and benefits for three firefighters for three years. The only cost to the town will be gear and equipment.

“Based on staffing levels the station will remain open for the foreseeable future,” the department writes on Facebook.

The three firefighters, including a lieutenant, will staff an ambulance and engine at the two-bay South Worcester Street station. The department will also respond to calls in other parts of town, along with crews at department headquarters on East Main Street, a report in thesunchronicle.com says.

“The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, ‘front line’ firefighters available in their communities,” FEMA says on its website.

“The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by the NFPA (NFPA 1710 and/or NFPA 1720). For details, review the National Fire Protection Association’s codes and standards.”

A fire, probably electrical in origin, destroyed two fire engines at the Firth Fire Department Monday afternoon.

A firefighter was also blown out of the building when a tank exploded in the fire. He suffered only minor injuries, but was transported to the hospital.

On Sunday morning, the Hinesburg (VT) Fire Department and Richmond Rescue were called to a single-vehicle accident near 8760 Route 116. The response ended with a Hinesburg apparatus in an accident of its own.

Engine 1 responded in icy conditions to the call around 8:50 a.m. with a four-person crew. While passing Place Road W heading north on 116, the apparatus lost steering and braking abilities before crashing into a guardrail.

The engine came to a stop about 500 feet away, and, since all firefighters were wearing their seatbelts, no one was injured. Richmond Rescue was able to handle the call.

Several other minor accidents did follow, but not a single person was transported to the hospital, the department says on Facebook.

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A large barn was destroyed in a late Saturday night fire near Chelan. Chelan Fire and Rescue responded just before midnight on Saturday for a fully-involved barn fire in the Swanson Gulch area. Neighbors had reportedly noticed the fire and alerted the homeowners, who called 911. Crews arrived to find a large barn on fire, with a full-size RV nearby.
- PUB DATE: 1/10/2022 11:25:03 AM - SOURCE: iFiber One News Radio

The Appomattox (VA) Volunteer Fire Department Saturday dedicated its Engine 1.

The department took delivery of the apparatus on December 3, which sent its predecessor, a 30-year-old engine, to a tornado-ravaged department in TN via donation.

Earlier: Appomattox (VA) VFD Desires to Replace Aging Fire Apparatus

Officials say the apparatus cost $664,855; the town chipped in $240,000 and the county $250,000; fundraisers and donations brought in around $75,000; and the department borrowed the remaining funds.