Alexandria (VA) Fire Department officials Sunday temporarily put Engine 205 out of service following concerns that crews were working too much overtime.

The department is currently understaffed by 23%—281 first responders are working in a department that needs 347 members, reports alxnow.com.

The apparatus returned to service the following day.

****Public Safety Alert**** Engine 205 which serves the Old Town West, Rosemont, Eisenhower East and Southern Del Ray Neighborhoods is currently closed for the evening due to staffing shortages. Another Emergency Response Reduction due to AFD’s staffing Crisis. pic.twitter.com/JUXfyHzAvr

— IAFF Local 2141 (@IAFFLocal2141) December 20, 2021

If you live/work in the highlighted area this closure directly effects your emergency response. pic.twitter.com/ok8e5mEPvV

— IAFF Local 2141 (@IAFFLocal2141) December 20, 2021

The High River (Alberta, Canada) Fire Department is set to take delivery of a C$1.45 million ladder truck, reports okotoksonline.com.

The department’s current ladder is approaching 21 years of age, and officials say the lifespan of such apparatus is 20 years.

A typical ladder truck goes for about C$1.6 million to C$1.8 million, the report says, but this one was slightly used so the department received a deal. The purchase won’t increase taxes, as funding is coming via a provincial grant.

The ladder’s predecessor will be sold, but its equipment will be transferred to the new truck. Officials are hoping to put the truck into service in January, with a delivery date of earlier that month.

Four volunteer fire departments in Madison County (AL)—Moores Mill, Hazel Green, Meridianville, and New Market—will each be receiving $100,000 of COVID-19 relief money, reports whnt.com.

Moores Mill had an operating budget of $260,000 to cover one administrative position, two station payments, truck payments, and other related expenses, the report says. But almost all of that is spent before the year begins.

Moores Mill officials say the money will go toward replacing the department’s cascade system which fills air bottles, air bottles, and extrication equipment.

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A Tuesday afternoon fire destroyed the fire station in Portland (Ontario, Canada), about 62 miles southwest of Ottawa, reports CTV.ca.

Nearby residents say they heard loud bangs around 4:15 p.m. before the facility went up in flames, then a massive plume of smoke rose through the air, according to the report.

Officials say the volunteer fire department’s apparatus was at the station at the time of the fire and have been destroyed as well; the trucks were insured, the report says.

Any injuries are unknown at this point, and officials are investigating the cause of the fire.

Alexis—Louise (TX) Volunteer Fire Department RIV pumper. HME 1871 with MFDXL cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Waterous CXVC20 1,500-gpm pump; Pro Poly 1,000-gallon polypropylene water tank; 20-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 1600 single-agent foam system; Fire Com intercom system; cab EMS compartments with Norcold refrigerator. Dealer: Mike Johnson, SMJ Equipment, Spring, TX.

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