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.

Sandy Springs (GA) has approved nearly $1 million in additional costs to build its new fire station, reports ajc.com. Officials say the new funds will go toward sewage work and an underground tank found by construction crews across from the work site, as well as a traffic signal.

Station 2 will be constructed where the former station stood—135 Johnson Ferry Rd. The former station opened 1969 and was in need of upgrades, though it was torn down last summer, the report says.

The project has a total budget of $10 million, with Sandy Springs awarding a $6.5 million contract to Reeves Young construction in February. However, total costs now creep upwards of $7.5 million, according to the report. More costs could arise, officials warn.

Construction is expected to be complete near April. The new facility will have two levels, a decontamination area, a training area, and separate living quarters for male and female firefighters, the report says.

Related Articles:
Sandy Springs (GA) Fire Department Gets Approval for Station 5
Sandy Springs (GA) Proposes Budget for Fire Station
Sandy Springs (GA) Breaks Ground on Fire Station No. 2
Sandy Springs (GA) Council Approves New Fire Station
Sandy Springs (GA) Paying for Temporary Fire Station Location
Sandy Springs GA Approves Fire Apparatus Purchase

The Wichita Falls (TX) Fire Department has asked City Council for $9.9 million to purchase 13 new fire engines, reports newschannel6now.com.

Officials say the department’s current apparatus aren’t up to par, and some engines have spent weeks in the repair shop. Maintenance costs have simply become too much, and some apparatus are so old that replacement parts aren’t in production anymore.

However, in addition to the apparatus, some equipment needs replacing too—such as the hoses, which are more than 10 years old, the report says.

City Council says it plans to decide on the $9.9 million by its next meeting in November.

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Wichita Falls (TX) Gets New Fire Apparatus

Marion Body Works custom apparatus will now include Safety Cloud service as a standard feature.

Marion, WI (October 21, 2021) – Emergency vehicle manufacturer Marion Body Works is making HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud® a standard safety solution on new apparatus, the company announced today. The collaboration will equip newly manufactured Marion Body Works apparatus with the Safety Cloud Responder-to-Vehicle (R2V™) service, enabling fire crews to automatically deliver digital alerts to nearby drivers up to 30 seconds in advance and reduce the risk of collision by up to 90%.

Safety Cloud is the industry standard in digital alerting, with more than 800 public safety agencies and fleets nationwide actively using the service daily for added protection on the road. The service works by delivering real-time notifications to approaching drivers when equipped emergency vehicles are responding and on-scene, improving motorist awareness and allowing more time for drivers to make safe maneuvers and comply with Move Over laws. Safety Cloud alerts are received by drivers through navigation platforms such as Waze and through the vehicle infotainment screens of connected vehicle services. Since launching two years ago, Safety Cloud has processed more than 1 billion alerts.

“Our primary focus at Marion Body Works is the customer experience, and for our customers, there’s nothing more important than safety in the field,” said Cal Kanowitz, Director of Sales & Marketing at Marion Body Works. “By making Safety Cloud standard on our new apparatus, we’re providing the departments we serve with the most advanced solution for collision prevention available today.”

HAAS Alert CEO Cory Hohs commented, “Marion Body Works brings more than a century of experience in building custom vehicles, and we’re thrilled to be in partnership with a company with such an exceptional reputation and record in safety. We’re fully aligned in our shared commitment to safety.”

To learn more about Marion Body Works, Inc. visit marionbody.com.

To learn more about HAAS Alert and Safety Cloud, visit haasalert.com or contact press@haasalert.com.

About Marion Body Works
Marion Body Works manufactures Fire & Emergency Apparatus, Commercial Truck Bodies, Aluminum Custom Cabs, Custom Engineered Vehicles, and Defense Products for customers across the country. Marion has been privately owned, family operated, and continuously operated in Marion since they were founded in 1905. Marion specializes in all aluminum products, with more experience in this area than any other U.S. manufacturer. The company’s capabilities include aluminum and steel fabrication, welding, plumbing, foam insulation, hydraulics, electrical and electronic controls, and painting.

About HAAS Alert
HAAS Alert’s mission is to build lifesaving mobility solutions to make vehicles and roads safer and smarter. Our vision is a connected, collision-free world where everyone gets home safely. HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud vehicle communication network delivers digital alerts from emergency response and other fleets to nearby drivers, vehicles, and infrastructure. haasalert.com.