The $100,000 in overtime forced Chief Barry Finley to take turns closing stations. Now, things are getting better.

The rotation closing of Youngstown fire stations started July 1. If someone calls off or gets hurt, that's when the closed sign goes up, but the situation is improving.

 

 When the chief started the plan, 10 firefighters were off injured. Now, there are only three, which helps with staffing.

The Fairview Fire Station 2 has served the area for more than 50 years. The station, on Ten-Ten Road near Lake Wheeler Road, could close when nearby Garner opens a new station.  

Neighbors voiced opposition during a public hearing last month before the Wake County Fire Commission.

Fire Services Director Nick Campasano said it would be most efficient to close the firehouse and let the new Garner station, which would be a mile to the east, handle calls from the area.

The new firetruck, a 2018 Pierce Sabre fire engine pumper, cost about $400,000. It's equipped with an onboard tank that carries 1,000 gallons of water and a 1,500 gallon-per-minute pump. The truck has LED scene lighting and a generator as well.  

Fire Chief James Larsen says Engine 4 is more versatile. Larsen says the truck will reduce maintenance costs for the department.

Chief Dave Gould said the department plans to take out a 15-year loan to cover the nearly $500,000 cost of the 2019 Sutphen pumper fire-rescue engine.  

Gould said the department would like to get $100,000 from selling its current 2001 truck to help cover some of the cost, but he’s not sure they’ll be able to get that much.

Cal Fire Heavy Equipment Operator Andrew Brake, 40, was killed in a traffic crash this morning on Highway 99 in Tehama County. The six-year veteran was on his way to help battle the Carr Fire that's now burned nearly 178,000 acres and destroyed 1,077 homes with 48 percent containment. Cal Fire released a statement saying: "We are saddened to report the death of a CAL FIRE Heavy Equipment Mechanic from the Butte Unit assigned to the Carr Fire. He was killed early this morning as the result of a traffic accident on Highway 99 in Tehama County."