Firefighters will spend the next couple of weeks training on the new engine, having radio equipment installed, and loading hose and other equipment onto the truck. Once the firefighters are trained up and the truck is completely outfitted it will be placed into service for the people of the community.

Chief Thad Olsen said that this marks a milestone for the department. It is the first time that the district has purchased two brand-new, identical pumpers. Having two identical trucks eases the training requirements for the volunteers, and lessens the chance of confusion during an emergency. These two should give many years of service.

The county must vacate its ambulance garage and crew quarters at Blessing Hospital's 14th Street campus by the end of the year.

Post expects the committee to start looking at both short- and long-term housing options to the Adams County Board immediately.

"They should be ready to hit the ground running," Post said. "Actually, they have a meeting scheduled already with some people from Blessing later this month."

Post said the committee will need to determine possible locations for a permanent home and whether it would be better to house ambulances in two locations in the city.

Blessing has offered the Ambulance Service property and $125,000 to help with the construction of a new garage and crew quarters.

Matt Berge, architect for the project, told the Planning Commission that the design of the new facility is intended to integrate with the neighboring property.

The current station is 5,116 square feet -- the smallest fire station in the city.

During budget sessions in the spring of 2015, when the project was first considered, then-Fire Chief William Nelson, now retired, told the council that Station 4 is the second-busiest fire station in the city, and it is the only station to house a heavy rescue unit. The station was built in 1968 and was expanded in 1988.

The new fire station will include a training room, an exercise room, a kitchen, a three-truck apparatus bay, a 34-car parking lot, and screening and buffering along the east property line, which is adjacent to single-family homes.

There will be four parking spaces on the east side of the building to accommodate the first four volunteers who respond, park and load up the truck. The other spots are needed when the other the responders return to assist with the care of equipment after an event.