While the work is taking place, Hartford is closed to the public, a closure that wasn’t part of initial renovation plan. City firefighters and ambulance crews will stand ready at the three other staffed stations — on Bangor Street, Western Avenue and the relatively recently built North Station on Leighton Road.  

When the work in front of the existing Hartford building began last week, the emergency vehicles and firefighter-paramedics normally stationed there were moved to the city’s other three stations.

Fire Chief Roger Audette said a plan is in place to ensure public safety is not compromised during the station’s closure and response times are not expected to be slower because of the change. Response times to various parts of the city could be slower or faster, depending on where each incident occurs, Audette said. That’s because some of the other stations where firefighters are repositioned now could be closer to, or farther from, an incident site.

Baker discussed the District’s recent purchase of property located in the area of 35th Street and Cascade Avenue in an exclusive NCWLIFE News interview with Steve Hair. Baker says the District will also be hiring additional firefighters to staff the new station.

Preservation Virginia selected it based on the city's intention to demolish it in favor of a new fire station.

In February, an online petition began to save the historic firehouse.  

The Roanoke City Council elected to put that plan on hold after public outcry. Supporters see this as another positive sign.

As the 20-tonne fire truck slipped it landed on a car, wedging the driver side door shut. The driver was not injured and the car sustained only minor damage.

Trams were replaced with buses while the rescue effort was underway.

It took two exhausting hours for the MFS and transport personnel to prop up the truck, using planks of wood to pull it back on to the track with the aid of a heavy tow truck about 8.30pm.

There are many different features the new engine has that the older, 1974 truck it will be replacing has, including everything on the rear of the truck being back lit, so firefighters can see what they are doing in the dark. The truck also has non-collapsible hoses and other safety equipment that is stored right in the truck.

“Everything is inside, out of the elements for when they arrive on scene,” said Hobie Kirsch, Mullett Township Supervisor. “I’m just happy the board recognized the need for the new truck.”

Kirsch said Parrott attended one of the Mullett Township meetings and brought a rust slug from the old pumper the department was using. Once the board members saw this, they were quick to act on the purchase of the new truck.