The new apparatus is a Pierce fire truck purchased from Siddons Martin Emergency Group to replace the 2008 model Fire Engine 2, at the North Athens Fire Station on Texas 19. The bid proposal for the truck and the equipment required to get it ready for service totaled more than $828,349.  

Fire Engine 2 has been down for repairs and also failed the required annual pump certification test. The council had already budgeted for the new fire engine. The Pierce truck will be financed by U.S. Bankcorp Government Leasing and Finance, for a 10-year period at 2.97 percent interest.

The new location, if approved by the council, will come with the purchase and remodeling of the former Apria Healthcare building at 500 W. Jaycee Ave.  

City Administrator Steve Miller said the net value of the property will be about $800,000, compared to construction of a new station, at an estimated $2 to $3 million.

The purchase of the building will cost the city $405,000. He said remodeling the Jaycee Avenue building has been estimated to cost about $600,000.

At approximately 6:01 p.m. Monday, firefighters at the fire station on the 12000 block of El Monte Road on the Foothill College campus heard a vehicle crash outside the station.

Firefighters investigated and found a vehicle had driven into a masonry wall attached to the fire station.

Firefighters treated the vehicle’s sole occupant, an elderly male. Santa Clara County Fire officials said the man was transported to Stanford University Hospital in serious condition. Officials did not know whether his condition was a result of the accident or if he suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash.

The 95-year-old truck was used in parades, car shows and other events, but somewhere in the last decade or so, Maude stopped working, though her siren works fine. She was then towed out to functions, including the downtown Burlington Dickens Christmas event, but was not able to run on her own.

Last week, the apparatus began the final assembly process, which is expected to be complete this week. It will be released for testing before making the trek to Evansville.  

The fire truck will be housed on the city’s northside at Fire Station 17 on Mill Road. There’s no word on when exactly the fire truck will be brought to Evansville.