Bellegrove Fire Company, Annville PA, 3,000-gallon elliptical tanker-pumper. Western Star 4700SF two-door cab and chassis; Detroit DD13 450-hp engine; Waterous CX 1,000-gpm pump; APR 3,000-gallon polypropylene tank with stainless steel jacket.

Deputy Fire Chief John J. Burke’s enthusiasm about the newly renovated and expanded station was unrestrained while he offered a tour of the building to the Enterprise on Tuesday, June 5, in advance of the official open house, which will happen in the next month or so.

Repeatedly, Deputy Chief Burke pointed out what he considered the simple, cost-effective, and efficient design of the renovated original building and the addition that houses three bunk rooms, two bathrooms, and a laundry and medical supply room.

He pointed to the “all-in-one” generator, the new sprinkler system, the double-walled “tight tank” septic system and the high-quality/high-efficiency kitchen appliances installed in the original kitchen, whose “footprint” was not changed from the original.

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Hutto Fire Rescue, also known as Williamson County Emergency Services District 3, had collected $1.9 million in sales taxes, according to the district’s audits.

Now with its coffers reinforced by two years of sales tax revenues, Hutto Fire Rescue is set to break ground on its second fire station. According to Kerwood, this station is specifically designed to serve the needs of the southern half of the city of Hutto and portions of southeastern Williamson County.

Hutto Fire Rescue will situate its second station on Swindoll Lane off FM 1660 in the southern end of Hutto city limits. The district purchased approximately 3.4 acres of land and expects to break ground on the station before the end of August. Kerwood said stations typically take 18 months to construct.

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The department has 15 engine companies throughout the county, each with its own truck. The new truck will help modify the county fleet.

The new truck pumps 2,000 gallons of water a minute. To put that in perspective, the average person in the U.S. uses about 80 to 100 gallons of water a day, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Four outrigger beams can protrude from the sides of the truck to further stabilize it. Lt. Kurt Bleemel said that the ladder with a platform can extend to 104 feet at a 75-degree angle in less than 70 seconds.

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As you might remember that the old Engine 51 went to the same town and department Best of luck with Engine 41 as the members did back in the days.