The city of Paso Robles (CA) recently broke ground on its new public safety facility, which, when complete, will house Fire Station 3.

The facility, at 2924 Union Rd., will also serve as a public safety training facility. The new station will be built in phases; grading of the site should start in mid-September, construction of the station is expected to begin in mid-November, and it should be staffed before winter 2022.

In 2015 Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services was found to be understaffed, and the new facility aims to allow the city to increase its public safety services and decrease response times.

“This new facility is emblematic of the City Council’s dedication to the primary importance of public safety and just one of the strategies in place to keep Paso Robles residents and their property safe,” Mayor Steve Martin said in a press release.

The facility was purchased in 2019, but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, planning was put on hold until Measure J20—a half-cent sales tax that will provide the $3-$10 million necessary for the project—passed.

In 2018 and 2020, the city accepted grant awards of $1.4 million and $1.2 million to cover the salary and benefit costs for a total of nine firefighters positions over a three-year period for each grant.

Sheffield Lake (OH) Fire Department is showing off a newly refurbished engine that underwent a complete vinyl wrap as part of the work done on the apparatus, according to a news release from the city.

The work, which cost $8,400, saved the fire department significant amounts of money as a new paint job would have cost $60,000 to complete, according to the news release.

The custom graphic work, which is found on race cars, food trucks, buses and service and sales vehicles, was done by Gorilla Graphics in Brunswick (OH), according to the release.

Engine 61 is the second engine the department had covered with a vinyl wrap as firefighters point out that the apparatus wrapped three years ago has worn well with no peeling and a similar cost savings, the release said.

Other advantages to vinyl wrap, including the ability replace sections damaged by collisions or other mishaps, is completed by adding a piece of the vinyl to the affected area and the vinyl can add years of service to the apparatus, according to the news release.

A woman was hurt when the car she was driving collided with a fire truck responding to an apartment fire in Harmony Township (PA), according to a report published by WPXI 11 News.

According to the television station, the Sewickley Creek Volunteer Fire Department truck involved in the crash was heading to the call with lights and sirens when it crash with the vehicle attempting to turn at the intersection at about 1 pm on Sunday, Sept. 5.

The extent of the injuries to the female driver were not immediately disclosed, but she was transported for treatment of her injuries, according to the television station.

The Shelburne Falls (MA) and Ashfield fire departments are receiving a total of $196,00 in regional Assistance to Firefighting Grants (AFG).

Both departments say they plan to use the funds for SCBA equipment.

Related Articles:
Pascrell Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
Campbell (WI) Fire Department Receives $130k Grant
Niagara Falls (NY) Fire Department Awarded $314k AFG
Grants to Fund Fire Equipment Purchases for Easton (ME)
Wyandotte (MI) Fire Department to Receive a $504k AFG Grant for SCBA
Dearborn Heights (MI) Fire Department to Receive a $154,545 Grant

An American Medical Response ambulance was involved in a crash that left the apparatus on its side in Hartford, CT, Saturday around 6 p.m., reports fox61.com.

It’s unclear what caused the crash, which happened on Albany Avenue near the intersection with Oakland Terrace, but the ambulance was on its way to an emergency call, officials say.

The two ambulance personnel aboard were not injured but did get taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, and no patient was inside. The driver of the other car was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The ambulance struck another car after it rolled over, but it wasn’t reported if that vehicle was moving or parked at the time. The cause of the accident is under investigation by Hartford Police.