While the two largest projects with the Lewisville Fire Department won't be complete until 2018, this year it will see the addition of some key new equipment. "If we can stay on schedule, it will still be August or September 2018 before stations 3 and 8 are finished," said Fire Chief Tim Tittle.
“Getting an architect will be a big thing for keeping us on schedule.”
The LFD is busy planning for the construction and relocation of Station 3, which will be built on the southeast corner of Meadowglen Drive and FM 3040. It is part of the Convergence property. Station 8 will be built in east Lewisville off Josey Lane. Both stations are being built to better serve the city of Lewisville and will have an engine and medic.
“Station 8 will help serve the far eastern part of our community and Castle Hills residents,” Tittle said. “All of that is growing and about to take off. The need for us to be there is going to be about the time we have the station built.”
Once complete, the LFD will have two stations out east – Stations 6 and 8.
By relocating Station 3, Tittle said it will better serve the southwestern part of the city. He said there are apartments and an assisted living facility being built, as well as industrial buildings and the Bed Bath and Beyond warehouse. The area also already includes a high school and the city’s biggest mobile home park – Creekside.
“We will have better coverage with our stations and overall better coverage for the community we serve,” Tittle said. “Also, our response times will fall more in line with what they should be.”
The problem the department is facing is rising costs of construction. Both stations estimated costs are right around $1 million over the original funding amount. The city staff recommended funding the budget shortfall for both stations through the 2017-18 fire control budget. According to officials, the 2016-17 tax revenue exceeded the budgeted amount by $311,000.
New equipment
New stations are not the only addition to the LFD. Beginning in May, the new ladder truck will begin construction. Tittle said they hope to take delivery of it at the end of the year or the beginning of 2018. The new truck will be housed at Station 6.
Posted: Jan 30, 2017
The Waynesboro volunteer firemen continue to inch closer to signing a contract with a manufacturer to build a new aerial truck. "We hammered out the last of the specification details and narrowed it down to two manufacturers that we would like to go through," said John Beck, Waynesboro assistant fire chief and chairman of the capital replacement committee which originated for the purpose of purchasing a new aerial truck.
Finding a way to pay for a truck which Beck estimates will be around $900,000 is the bigger issue. The special committee and volunteers continue to explore a slew of options.
One small piece to solving the financial burden of a new purchase took place earlier this month when Engine Tanker 2 was sold for $30,000 which will be put toward the sale of a new ladder new truck.
Tower 2, the Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Department's current ladder truck, is also up for sale with a price tag of between $325,000-400,000.
The firemen want to replace Tower 2 which is a 2005 model, because they feel it is limited with its ladder reach.
"We are limited due to the setback of businesses around our community," said Beck, who used Trinity House, Waynesboro Area Senior High School and the Landis Complex as examples.
According to Beck, a potential buyer interested in purchasing Tower 2 was recently lost. With a sense of urgency building, the capital replacement committee has sought out a sales company that works specifically with used fire apparatus to help sell Tower 2.
"They have a broad reach out to departments across the country. They have the inside info on who is looking for fire apparatus," said Beck. "Even though there is a commission rate involved, we feel that they will give us the best chance to make the most money on Tower 2."
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