The thieves made off with about $100,000 dollars worth of equipment, including the department’s brand-new Ford F-350, which they use as a primary response vehicle.

One firefighter had his Jeep Wrangler taken, and another firefighter’s apartment inside the station was ransacked. His loss totals about $8,000 dollars.

Most of the project’s funding would buy four rescue engines at about $505,467 a pop. A $931,920 Quint engine, which packs a ladder and other equipment, will also be purchased. The rest of the total consists of equipment ($174,928) and issuance costs and bank fees ($71,000), according to the resolution.

The county’s annual payment would be about $341,000 as part of a 10-year lease with Bank of America, according to county documents.

The county will draw money from the general fund for the project, though whether existing revenue will be enough remains a question. A 1-cent real estate tax rate increase could be on the table for fiscal year 2019.

The fire department will put the funds towards new specialty equipment which cleans hazardous contaminants from protective clothing worn by firefighters. 

"It is essential that we provide our firefighters with the tools they need to do their jobs effectively," Schumer said, according to the release. "Our first responders are our local heroes and our primary line of defense for safety and security--it is critical that we do all we can to ensure that they are well equipped and prepared to take on any emergency."

The new rating comes from a combination of improvements ranging from increased training and better equipment maintenance to backup turnout gear, air tanks and portable radios for every member of the department.

A partnership among the fire department, the Tullahoma Utilities Authority and the Coffee County Consolidated Communications Center led to the communications upgrades and improved water distribution to the 1,300 hydrants in the town.