The Sparta (NJ) Fire Department is getting a new Pierce pumper after township council recently approved a $700,000 bond ordinance, reports tapinto.net.

Officials say a 1993 apparatus had been taken out of the department’s fleet earlier this year due to safety issues.

The new truck will be purchased from the Houston Galveston Coop and should be put into service in about 12 months, the report says.

Monroe County (GA) Emergency Services Station 10, located at 50 Evans Road in Smarr, was damaged significantly in a structure fire that occurred late Saturday night (Nov. 27).

No MCES personnel were at Station 10 at the time of the blaze. However, a 2001 Freightliner pumper, parked in the Station 10 garage, had been used by MCES personnel to respond to a call earlier in the evening. The Freightliner was also severely damaged in the blaze.

A 9-1-1 caller reported smoke coming from Station 10 at 11:04 p.m. on Saturday. However, when MCES firefighters arrived at the scene moments later, the station was already engulfed in flames. As firefighters attempted to put out the blaze, a portion of the Station 10 roof collapsed, causing the firefighters to retreat and alter their strategy of attack. One firefighter, Battalion Chief Clay Walton, injured his knee while fighting the blaze and was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Crews continued to battle the fire until 2:30 a.m. on Sunday and will be monitoring the scene for at least the remainder of the weekend.

The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined. The incident has been turned over to the Georgia state fire marshal’s office for further investigation. Further information will be provided once it becomes available.

A member of the Escambia County (FL) Professional Firefighters says his 2012 Black Toyota Tundra CrewMax was stolen from the Pleasant Grove station early Thanksgiving morning while he slept.

“Please share and call Escambia County Sheriff’s Office if seen. There is a IAFF Union Maltese sticker on the Drivers side window and a Squad 3 sticker on the rear window. Picture is a similar one, but not the one that was stolen,” the department writes on Facebook.

The Ronceverte (WV) Volunteer Fire Department recently put into service a new utility truck.

The department made a conscious effort to shop locally for utility truck 4007, which saved thousands of dollars.

“Our members bought a stock truck out of VA from a dealer that would work with us on price, went thru a local bank for financing, got a local business in town to do brush guard and winch, camper top was done in Roanoke, striping and decals came from another local business in town, and lighting package was done by a local business also,” the department writes on Facebook.

The city of Danbury (CT) is planning to hold its annual Light the Lights holiday celebration on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Danbury Library Plaza on Main Street.

The celebration, which will see Santa Claus arrive via fire truck, aims to light up downtown Danbury with holiday lights and decorations. A fire truck parade will ensue, and free cookies and hot chocolate will be provided.

More information on the event can be found here.

“There will be holiday music, entertainment and more – join us as we light up the city for the 2021 holiday season! We look forward to seeing you there!” Danbury writes on Facebook.