The E-One truck from First Connections Inc. is what Mayor Lee Berry calls the Swiss Army knife of fire trucks — a pumper, tanker and rescue vehicle in one. That’s just what Ellerbe needs, Berry and Fire Chief Will Barber said Wednesday.

 

Because Ellerbe firefighters are volunteers, only one or two firefighters may respond immediately to a call — most have other jobs — and would need access to an array of equipment before more help arrived, he said.

The new 17,150-square-foot station will include four bays with a “contemporary look to compliment the urban feel of Reston Town Center,” according to plans submitted to the county this month.  

The current 7,750-square-foot fire station is “grossly undersized” with only two-and-a-half bays, leaving little room for storing equipment and managing additional responders and units. Service demands are also expected to increase as construction and residential development rapidly expands in the immediate area, according to the plans.

Jefferson Parish outlaws parade displays that endorse political candidates. New Orleans bans "advertising of any kind" in parades and specifically forbids throws with a "political or religious message."  

Spears has a history of supporting NOMTOC, however, as well as the volunteer fire departments in his district. He sponsored a council resolution giving $50,000 to the krewe to put on a Christmas parade Dec. 9 in Marrero.

Authorities say the fire truck was blocking traffic to protect the first responders who were tending to an injured pedestrian who was hurt in the initial crash. None of the firefighters were injured. The driver was arrested by Indiana State Police.