Prior to 1905, North Yakima’s fire department was an all-volunteer unit, starting first as a bucket brigade and turning professional in 1905, a year after 22 volunteers walked off the job in a dispute with the city. A new cadre of volunteers was recruited, but the city decided to make the department fully professional.

With the help of Troop 1, Helkey fixed up the Santa Barbara City Fire Department’s Fire Station 7, building a picnic table and placing it next to the station’s barbecue area. Helkey also did some landscape renovation around the station, which recently suffered storm damage.

"CFD members were in the station and responded to the incident along with Charleston County EMS and the Charleston Police Department. One patient from the vehicle was subsequently transported to the hospital," CFD officials said.

The new, single-story facility will have dorms, administration offices and upgraded amenities – but no fire pole, which the old station had, but rarely used. New showers and locker rooms will serve both genders.