Despite opposition and criticism from volunteers who will use the new facility, Franklin County, VA, Board of Supervisors voted 4 to 3 to start construction of a new $5.3 million combined fire-EMS station in Glade Hill, according to a report published by The Roanoke Times.

Combining the home for the Glade Hill Volunteer Fire Department and the county-staffed Glade Hill EMS station has been talked about for about 10 years, the newspaper reported, adding that the volunteer fire department currently operates out of a 1960s fire station.

The firefighters said at Tuesday night’s meeting they feared that under the combined arrangement, the department’s equipment and apparatus would end up being controlled by the paid county staff, the first step toward shutting the fire department down, the newspaper reported. The firefighters requested changes that would far exceed the cost of the original bid, the paper added.

At one point during the debate, a letter was presented signed by 20 volunteer firefighters who said they would not use the new building when it was completed, the paper reported.

Supervisors in support of the new station said there were plenty of other volunteers who supported the new station and, faced with a looming deadline on the bid deadline, the board voted to approve the project, according to the newspaper.

After much feuding about the bid process and whether to hire an expert to help design a fire truck, the Arlington (VT) selectboard finally voted, unanimously to buy a $423,556 fire truck, according to a report published by the Manchester Journal.

The Arlington Fire Department had been trying to buy a new apparatus for years, according to the newspaper, and the process nearly got delayed again as the selectboard debated the bids and how they were derived. At one point a former fire chief told the board the bids were so different it was difficult to decide which one to approve, the paper reported.

One of the sticking points is whether the new apparatus would be able to fit through the town’s covered bridge, the newspaper reported, adding that Arlington firefighters are certain the new rig will fit.

The selectboard got the current fire chief on the phone during the meeting to talk about the process and the chief expressed frustration about the selectboard’s indecision and warned any additional delay in awarding the bid would cause a significant price increase and push the replacement cycle out even further, the paper reported.

Debate got testy during the recent meeting, but in the end, the board approved a bid submitted by E-ONE for a pumper on a Freightliner cab and chassis on a vote of five to zero, the paper reported.  

Residents in Clallam Fire District Two may get some relief on their fire insurance premiums. The Washington Survey and Rating Bureau (WSRB) has improved Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue’s protection class. That could help property owners with their insurance premiums. WSRB is an independent, non-profit service organization that has been serving Washington State since 1911.
- PUB DATE: 9/22/2021 6:45:54 AM - SOURCE: KONP-AM 1490 Port Angeles

The Nashville (TN) Fire Department last night had one of its engines overturn on Briley Parkway West at Whites Creek Pike.

No civilians were hurt, though a captain, engineer, and a firefighter were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Currently one of our Fire Engines has overturned on Briley Parkway West at Whites Creek Pike. NONE of our personnel are injured nor any civilians at this time. Our safety office is enroute to assess the situation. Please avoid the area if you can. pic.twitter.com/9q2W9DIj4v

— Nashville Fire Dept (@NashvilleFD) September 22, 2021

UPDATE: We are transporting the personnel from the Engine with non-life threatening injuries out of an abundance of caution. We are transporting the Captain, Engineer, and 1 Firefighter.

— Nashville Fire Dept (@NashvilleFD) September 22, 2021

A death investigation is underway in Florence County (SC) after authorities found the body of a woman behind the Hannah-Salem Friendfield Fire Department station, reports wmbfnews.com.

County officials confirm that 21-year-old Sheridan Wahl’s body was found around 8:45 a.m. Tuesday behind the station on Highway 378 in Pamplico.

Tampa (FL)-based Wahl was last seen on Sunday in the Myrtle Beach area, the report says. Her autopsy is set for Friday at the Medical University of South Carolina.