The same at Station Number 6 on the city's east side. Three stations re-opening as part of a plan to improve response times. But the plan does not increase the number of firefighters or their equipment, it simply shuffles the existing numbers, spreading them out over more locations.

"The benefit is somewhere in the city it will at least decrease our response times by some type of help arriving rather than have them cluster in the middle," said Canton Fire Chief Thomas Garra.

Through the work and generosity of the Kiel Lions Club and other Lions throughout the district--along with the Kiel Fire Department--another fire truck has been donated to Mexico.

Bernard "Pat" Knier, missions coordinator for the Kiel Lions Club, said the club purchased the 1984 pumper from the KFD for $5,000. Kiel Fire Chief Bob Hennings said the funds will be used to purchase equipment to outfit the new 1,500 gallon per minute (gpm) pumper scheduled to arrive in September.

"Our number one goal is to keep community members, guests and our neighbors safe," said Greg Hayes, director of Mdewakanton Public Safety, the tribe's full-time professional fire and ambulance service. The department will put the truck to use immediately.