U.S. Reps Dan Newhouse and Cathy McMorris Rodgers are urging President Joe Biden to approve a Major Disaster Declaration for the Colville Confederated Tribes following extreme wildfires this year. If approved, public assistance would be available to remove debris, rebuild roads and bridges and address recovery efforts on the Colville Indian Reservation.
- PUB DATE: 11/30/2021 2:23:07 PM - SOURCE: iFiber One News Radio

Beginning Monday, November 29, and continuing through Monday, December 27, Fire Station #3, located at 4701 Fort Avenue, will temporarily close for renovations. The renovations, including a building addition, will include a new kitchen, an updated locker room, and a new training/common area.

During the closure, staff at Station 3 will be temporarily assigned to other City fire stations. According to Fire Chief Greg Wormser, residents living in the areas normally serviced by the Fort Hill station will not see a noticeable difference in response times during the closure.

“We want residents to know that serving the community by protecting lives and property is always our first priority,” he said. “We fully intend to respond to calls consistent with our operations while the station undergoes renovations.”

The Worcester (MA) Fire Department is forming an internal committee to design a new station on Madison Street, reports spectrumnews1.com.

The facility, which will replace the Southbridge Street station, will be constructed on the Registry of Motor Vehicles’ overflow parking lot, the report says. MassDOT is providing the land.

Officials estimate that the project will take three years to complete and will cost about $25 million.

Depending on additional funding, the department hopes to also build a backup regional communications center.

Regina (Saskatchewan, Canada) Fire & Protective Services recently unveiled its 25-year master plan, reports cbc.ca. In addition to city council’s approval, the city’s Professional Fire Fighters Association has also endorsed it.

In development for two years, the document outlines the department’s plans in five-year increments, and officials say it aligns with potential city growth.

The first phase involves building a new station, the report says. The facility would cost around $10 million.

Shoreview (MN) City Council recently approved a joint powers agreement between the cities of Shoreview, Arden Hills, and North Oaks for construction of a new fire station for the Lake Johanna Fire Department in Arden Hills, reports presspubs.com.

In September of 2020, council approved an agreement between the three cities for the purchase of the property and the construction of a fire headquarters for the Lake Johanna Fire Department, the report says. On the heels of approval, the department purchased for $1.3 million four acres of land on Pine Tree Drive in Arden Hills.

According to the report, the joint powers agreement includes:

• A four-person board with two elected officials from Shoreview and one each from Arden Hills and North Oaks.

• It would take at least a three-fourths vote to approve any action.

• The Lake Johanna Fire Department would need to transfer the property to the board. The cost share for funding of the new headquarters fire station would be based on the current cost share formula between the cities (25% population, 25% households, 40% number of fire calls, and 10% assessed value), which is updated annually.

• Station construction would begin following the unanimous vote of the board, but no later than June 30, 2026.

The agreement has also been approved by Arden Hills, with North Oaks expected to vote soon.