“The new signal will greatly enhance the safety of firefighters and the community, providing a safer exit and entrance into Fire Station Two,” Cedar Park Fire Chief James Mallinger said.  

The signal was a Fiscal Year 2018 Capital Improvement Project with a $90,000 construction budget. 

The fire department is one of eight recipients for the latest rounds of grants from the company. The fire department will use the funds to buy combustible gas meters and the accompanying calibration equipment, as well as gas monitors.  

The equipment helps firefighters detect gases such as methane, propane and ethanol when responding to calls.

It is designed to rapidly fly a patient to a hospital or rendezvous point with a doctor.

Researchers envision the vehicle transporting people facing medical emergencies like heart attacks or strokes and airlifting injured or trapped victims from hard to reach disaster zones including wildfire or flood zones.

Sensors inside monitor the patient’s vital signs during flight.With a one of a kind wall, researchers are simulating nearly every weather condition to test how the drone responds.

At that time, five trucks in the city’s eight-truck fleet were more than 10 years old. The National Fire Protection Association calls for firetrucks to remain in primary use for no more than 10 years. After that, a truck typically has another 10-year life as a reserve that can be subbed in when a primary truck goes down.

One truck, a used demo model engine, arrived in July 2017. Two more, both engines, were included in the 2018 budget, said Fire Chief Lee Laubach, and are currently being built. They are expected to arrive in December.  

One more engine will be funded with the state grant and an additional $15,000 provided by the city. That truck has also been ordered and is expected to arrive in January, Laubach said.