The Spring Lake Fire Department could have replaced its 1988 pumper five or six years ago.

"But we kept pushing it back because it ran so good," Sipe said.

That allowed funds from a millage to build up enough to cover the cost of the new truck, and helps when it comes time -- at least 5-6 years down the road -- to replace the next truck.

During its last annual maintenance, inspectors determined that the frame on the truck now being replaced was starting to crack, so the department began the process of getting the new truck.

Once a decision was made on the needs of the department and community, a contract was signed and the new truck's construction began about 10 months ago, Sipe said.

Officials decided to go with the rescue/pumper, though slightly smaller actually has more capacity to serve most of the Spring Lake department's needs.

The smaller truck will be easier to maneuver in driveways, yet its water tank is only slightly smaller than the truck it is replacing. Because of new technology, the water tank is molded around storage areas, giving the department places to hold emergency medical supplies and a booster wheel with a smaller hose already attached to fight grass fires.

Wireless headsets and cameras mounted on the side and back of the truck allow firefighters to move around it and see what's happening on the back or passenger side. New touch-screen controls allow operators to turn on all of the lights with one touch, rather than flicking a lot of switches or turning a lot of knobs.

Emergency crews are also starting to use more battery-powered equipment. This means that ventilation fans can go inside the buildings, instead of just in doorways (gas operated).

Pneumatic-powered (air hose) tools such as the Jaws of Life won't have to be tethered to their power source, allowing firefighters more flexibility with their operation. It's really useful if a car is down an embankment and the hoses don't reach, Sipe said. The batteries will last up to about 30-35 minutes, he said.

It became a fire station in 1958, and it was most recently used as the Ross Township trustee's office before the title of the property was transferred to the town in 2015, Yerga said.

Deputy Fire Chief Jim Lilley said the renovation project includes making the building look like the previous fire station again. That has involved creating the appearance of firetruck bay doors on the exterior of the building, but the doors aren't functioning, Lilley said.

The building will have many of its original architectural features, such as high arches. Offices also will be created.

Lilley said construction started in September, and the project remains on schedule. The headquarters could be open by mid-February, he said.

Yerga said the Merrillville Fire Protection Territory is spending about $600,000 for the entire project, and there have been many efforts to keep costs as low as possible.

Prior to construction starting, town firefighters volunteered their time to complete interior demolition at the site to save funds, Yerga sa

The truck arrived in Hay River on Dec. 12 and is fully functional, though Potter says it hasn't seen any real action yet.

"It's a slightly better truck than the first-line pumper we're using right now," said Potter. "We are going to be able to have a first and second attack team on the first arriving pump."

Potter says the new truck, which came at a cost of $438,000, comes equipped with a compressed air foam system to put out fires faster than regular foam systems.

The system also makes hoses lighter for crews to carry around. Additional safety features include seatbelt interlocks, rollover protection and door alarms.

Potter says the new truck replaces a pumper truck that was built in 1982 and while it may have been well-maintained, it no longer met National Fire Prevention Association standards.

Alarms went off in the 1201 Main St. station around 12:45 a.m., waking three firefighters who were on the second floor, according to Fire Capt. William Noke. They escaped and called the main station for help.

He said the fire appeared to start on the fire apparatus floor, heavily damaging one fire truck. Three other vehicles were damaged by smoke but are expected to be cleaned, repaired and returned to service, Noke said.

Firefighters from Sudbury, Maynard, Lincoln, Weston, Bedford and Carlisle provided mutual aid, he said.

While it seems an odd occurrence, Noke said the previous West Concord fire station, formerly on Church Street, was damaged in a similar fashion about 90 years ago. That station burned down while fire companies assisted Lincoln with a brush fire, leading to the construction of the current West Concord station, he said.