Stoughton has seen at least three significant house fires in the past two months, on Pearl Street, Prospect Street and Sumner Street.

The LBJ Fire Academy, housed at LBJ High School, was established in 2006 and has about 200 graduates. The two-year program gives students the opportunity to receive firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) certification and college credit. Not all of the students will go into fire service. The medical aspects may spur some to go to into nursing or attend medical school. Others may attend the program for the challenge—and it certainly looks good on a college resume.

"It was amazing. It was the surprise of my life. Honestly, the support, the love that I just received was awesome," said Brandt.

Brandt then signed the side of the fire truck, joining hundreds, if not thousands of people from around the country we have signed it as well.

The Westside Station actually was in use in September and received 37 calls, which Herring said was a good call volume. The station’s current primary district includes the area west of Main Street up to Highway 134 or Damascus Highway, and around Boll Weevil Circle to Highway 27 and down Geneva Highway. The Westside Station also backs up the Central and Northside stations, including on medical calls, Herring said.