Corpus Christi (TX) Fire Department is proceeding with plans to build a nearly $9 million fire station after city councilors discussed a time line for the project which was initially approved in November 2020, according to a report published by Virtual Builders Exchange.

According to the report, the new Fire Station No. 3 will be 13,000 square feet, have five bays which will allow apparatus to run out front and rear exits of the building and will be designed to separate firefighters from toxic and hazardous contaminants and materials.

The fire department expect to hire an architect later this summer to design the station which is expected to take four to six months, according to the report.

Half the money for the project is expected to come from the American Rescue Plan Act with the remaining coming from certificates of obligation, according to the report.

Norwich (NY) Fire Department is considering buying a second-hand ladder after one became available in nearby Fayetteville, according to a report published by The Evening Sun.

Fayetteville, in an agreement with Manlius will be buying four brand new trucks as part of a new municipal agreement that states they will respond to each other’s fires, according to the newspaper.

Because of the agreement, a 2006 Pierce aerial, that is reportedly in very good condition, is now available to Norwich for $385,000, according to the newspaper, compared to a replacement cost of more than $1.1 million.

Fayetteville has given Norwich the right of first refusal and is holding off on advertising until Norwich decides whether it wants the aerial or not, according to the newspaper.

The Houston (TX) Fire Department recently placed into service a new, custom-built ladder truck at Station 28 in southwest Houston.

The 2021 apparatus is a 105-foot aerial unit manufactured by Spartan.  It’s able to move up to 1,500 gallons per minute. The interior seats eight firefighters and came fully equipped with tools, radios, air packs, and saws at a total price of $1,740,000.

The funding was approved by city officials to replace the previous unit, which was destroyed in a fire.

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The Victorville (CA) Fire Department recently celebrated the grand opening of its new Station 315 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The department officially opened Station 315—which is staffed with six firefighter/paramedics—on July 3.

City officials note that Station 315 was first envisioned more than 13 years ago by fire officials. Construction began in 2008 and was completed in 2009, right when the recession hit. Financial issues forced the city to defer its station plans until now—thanks to revenue generated by Measure P, the one-cent sales tax approved by Victorville voters in November. Measure P is expected to generate an estimated $18.94 million this fiscal year.

Victorville will also use Measure P revenue to purchase two Type One fire engines to augment the department’s response; one engine will be assigned to Station 315, and the other will replace aging apparatus in the department’s fleet.

“We are quite excited to begin fulfilling our promise to invest Measure P revenue to increase essential services and build a stronger Victorville,” said Victorville Mayor Debra Jones in a press release. “Today, it’s Fire Station 315. Soon, it will be the expansion of our police, code enforcement, animal care and control, and library services that are sure to have a lasting, positive impact on our city.”

The Rapid City (SD) Fire Department could receive more than $15 million to remodel Fire Station 1, according to a report published by the Rapid City Journal.

The paper reported the money would come from the $20 million the city got for COVID-19 funds from the federal government.

If the city council approves the allocation, the money will be used to expand the current station from 17,400 square feet to about 40,000 square feet, the newspaper reported.

Infrastructure work and a burn building are included in the proposal, according to the paper, which also reported the department is also seeking about $1.5 million for a training tower.