A fire department that serves Corinna (ME) and Exeter could receive as much as $1.7 million in federal grants to relocate and turn a building into its new headquarters, reports bangordailynews.com.

The potential new home is located on Fernald Avenue—across the street from the department’s current Exeter Street headquarters, the report says.

The department’s current facility is small and was built in 1952, officials say. In addition, the building has problems with flooding and parts of the concrete floor are starting to crack.

The new digs would allow the department to continue serving the two towns, as well as the six other towns with which it has mutual-aid agreements, officials say.

Earlier: Howland and Corinna (ME) Seek $4M for Station Upgrades

A manufacturer’s hold up with six bay doors is delaying the completion of Bella Vista (AR) Fire Department’s new fire station, according to a report published by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

The new fire station will have three bays, hence the need for six doors to accommodate the drive-through design, the paper said, adding that the manufacturer has blamed the COVID pandemic for the months’ long delay.

The station contractor has had “pointed” discussions with the door manufacturer, which the paper reported was the lowest bidder on the equipment. The doors were finally delivered in mid October, but critical parts were missing, the paper reported.

The mayor told the paper construction on Fire Station three is close to completion, but there was no word on when the missing pieces would be available.

Station 3, the oldest working fire station in Decatur (IL), took its final call on Monday, reports herald-review.com. Crews and their equipment were then moved around the corner to the new Station 6 in Fairview Plaza.

The building is almost 100 years old, though it’s seen some additions over the years. The new facility offers more space for personnel as well as apparatus and equipment. Station 3’s fate has yet to be decided, according to the report.

Station 3, built in 1927, was originally dubbed Station 6. And plans are already in the works for Station 7, to be located at Chestnut and 36th streets.

A Sandy Hook, KY, Fire Department was damaged badly when it rolled into a ditch last week while responding to a house fire, according to a report published by WSAZ News Channel 3.

The report said the shoulder of a dirt road collapsed, causing the pumper to roll on the driver’s side into the ditch. No injuries were reported, the television station said.

The impact crushed the cab, the drivers’ door and may have ruptured the tank, according to the report.

Compounding matters the fire department was already down a fire truck due to engine failure, the television station reported, adding that the loss of two trucks reduces the pumpers by 50 percent which could effect response times.

The department’s total budget is only $26,000 annually from which all expenses must be met, leaving no funds to repair the damaged vehicles and none to find a used replacement, which could cost up to $30,000, according to the report.

The department plans on looking for grants to help replace or repair the apparatus, the station reported.

The City of Boise is proposing to enter into a purchase sale agreement for land on the Northeast corner of N. Bogart Lane and W. State Street for a future fire station. Siting a new Fire Station 13 in this area of the city has been a long-term discussion and remains a priority. This past year, the Boise Fire Department focused on finalizing a location 1.5 to 1.75 miles Northwest of Station 16, which is located off N. Glenwood Street. The location at Bogart and State Street was identified as an optimal location to help provide fire coverage in the Northwest.

PROJECT BACKGROUND AND BOGART LANE SITE INFORMATION

The Boise Fire Department has been working with its partner agencies including North Ada County Fire and Rescue and the Eagle Fire Department as well as neighbors over the years to evaluate options and pick the best location for a future Boise Fire Station. In early 2021, the Boise Fire Department worked with an independent broker to take a fresh look at available land, and the location at Bogart and State Street was identified as a potential option. The Boise Fire Department’s initial interest in this property was based on a variety of factors including location, availably, access and size.

Once the location was selected as an optimal choice, a broker working on behalf of the fire department reached out to the landowner to inquire about its availability, as the land had previously been listed for sale but was not currently on the market. Discussions began with the landowner, JRL Properties LP, and an agreement to move forward was reached this week.

“This location off Bogart is the solution we have been looking for in Northwest Boise.  It is ideally situated to achieve the best fire coverage for our Northwest community while collaborating with our partner agencies to provide an effective and efficient response,” said Fire Chief Mark Niemeyer.

The benefits of siting Fire Station 13 at State and Bogart include:

• Greater BFD coverage in the NW to achieve travel time goal of 5:00 for first arriving apparatus
• Bogart Lane is 1.5 miles from Station 16
• Bogart Ln is an optimal street off State Street due to lighted intersection and Opticom availability

Boise City Council members are expected to consider executing the purchase sale agreement for land, valued at approximately $1.1 million, at their upcoming meeting on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. If council approves the purchase sale agreement, costs for the station will be covered by impact fees and construction could start in 2023. Neighbors will be invited to participate in the design review process for the new station.

FUTURE OF GARY LANE PARCEL

Previous discussions about potential locations for Fire Station 13 included a parcel the City of Boise owns off Gary Lane. If the property off Bogart Lane is ultimately purchased following due diligence and closing, Gary Lane would be added to the Parks and Recreation Department’s inventory for future green up and amenities. This location directly addresses the city’s goals for Boiseans to have a park within a 10-minute walk from their home. The department will engage residents in a park master planning process if the project moves forward, with a timeline determined at a later date.