The helicopter was flying from Pafford’s base in Pine Bluff to Helena Regional Medical Center. The Bell 407 GXP helicopter was owned by maintained for Pafford Air One under a contract with Air Methods Corporation. Bollen was employed by Air Methods. Pafford issued a statement on Twitter saying that the company was “devastated by the sudden loss of three of our team members. At this time we have no words, only prayers for the families and loved ones involved.”

Day said helping volunteers obtain a CDL will allow for the safer operation of fire vehicles.  

“We all know that when a call goes out, time is of the essence, and fire companies need trained drivers behind the wheel,” he said in a statement.

Santoni said when crews arrived, the residents told firefighters everyone who was inside made it out, and that there were no injuries.  

A firefighter fell off a ladder onto a roof, according to Santoni. The firefighter is being evaluated at a local hospital, but Santoni said he believes the firefighter will be okay.

The pumper was retired in 1979. It took Emling several years to track it down. Harvey Hartman bought the old pumper for $800. He stored it in a garage and drove it in parades for a while. Then it fell into disrepair. When a tree fell on the truck, he sold it. The new owner left it outside and the truck continued to deteriorate. It was due to be sold as scrap when Emling rescued it. The pumper is now stored in a large garage in Penfield. "The engine is good shape," Emling said. Other parts not so much. So far, he has installed a new ignition, rebuilt the starter, put in a water pump, installed new brakes and batteries plus tires and mufflers. It needs all new electricals and a paint job, too. Emling wants to use commercial grade paint at $500 a gallon to restore the original color - sort of a reddish maroon, he said.

Both options would involve repairing the station's roof. The $161,000 plan, Option 1, would also involve expanding the existing truck bay that houses fire engines. Mitchell reported that currently there is only six inches of extra space available -- four at the front and two at the rear of the bay -- in which to park one of the town's fire trucks.

Option 1 was originally estimated to cost approximately $85,000, but this figure was increased to $161,000 following the purchase of a small parcel of land on an adjacent property to provide room for the bay expansion, as well as the estimate for roof work. The roof replacement plan was approved during a capital improvement process last year. At that time, funds were set aside to cover approximately $120,000 of the work.

The second option proposed would involve removing the existing fire engine bay, along with the center segment of the fire station, which comprises an office, bathroom and kitchenette that currently has a basement under it. In its place would be built two truck bays of adequate size for two of the town's engines.