The initial estimate was based on a smaller building than what is now designed, causing the $3 million increase.

"That number has been floating around in our CIP documents for the last three to four years.

The reason it changed was when we revised the space needs study in 2015, they identified a different size of building."

The City Council voted 5-0 to approve the schematic design at an Aug. 24 special meeting.

The increased cost would be covered by deferring other capital projects, such as some pavement improvements, to 2018, and refinancing capital project debt.

"We anticipate wrapping a combination of internal debt for city hall and the station into a bond and take the existing debt," Roland said. "The intent is not to have any impact on taxes."

"We should be able to pay back this building and that building combined," Mayor Myron Bailey added.

Bailey said the city has been receiving good interest rates the past few years, and is confident this refinancing rate will be no different. The rate is currently below 2 percent.

"One of the things that has changed since 1943, has been women in the fire service," Chief Taylor pointed out. "And so, in recognition of that we are upgrading the bathroom facilities to include more privacy."

Before the renovations were underway there were firefighters sleeping and resting on one side of the dormitories and working out on the other side of the same room. With the new renovations, the area will all be sleeping quarters and a fitness area will be added on.

The firehouse will also see a new fire alarm and a separate area for storing used fire gear, that can continue to give off gasses. The total renovation is expected to be completed in April.

This is the third firehouse upgrade. Fire station 13 was upgraded in 2013, Fire Station 10 was renovated in 2015, and officials are already talking about upgrading Fire House 21.

At the same time, approximately 30 firefighters have been moved out of Station 1 in Church Hill to three other stations for mold concerns.

Authorities say the ambulance struck Zhan while he was in a crosswalk. The operator of the ambulance remained at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

The truck is powered by a 345 cu-in V8 motor that was rated at precisely 196.7 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque, which is a lot of power for 1970. The “All Wheel Drive” label does not refer to a computerized AWD system of today’s trucks. It simply means that you can lock the hubs and make it so all wheels on this truck are driving it when 4×4 is selected.

The truck has no regular radio or air conditioning, but every feature works, including the strobe lights and the sirens. This truck is a true time capsule from the 1970s.

The volunteer firefighters in the tanker truck were David Boutcher, 36, of Vanleer; Michael Bunn, 28, of Cumberland Furnace; and Jessica Leege, 24, of Vanleer.

The THP report states that Boutcher, the driver, and Leege had been drinking alcohol.

The 2008 Kenworth T-370 tanker was traveling west on Highway 49 when it "failed to negotiate a curve to the right and ran off the road on the left side," according to the THP report.

The truck overturned and came to a final rest in the ditch.

Boutcher told the THP trooper that the air brakes "had not built up enough air and did not work at the time of the crash," the report states.

Charges are pending, according to the THP.

While the tanker was traveling to the fire scene, a Vanleer Volunteer Fire Department crew was already fighting the fire, said Vanleer Fire Chief Scotty Ingham.

“The house unfortunately was a total loss,” said Ingham about the home located on Highway 49 West near Jarman’s Market.

Also providing mutual aid were other local volunteer organizations Cumberland Furnace and Sylvia-Yellow Creek fire departments and Dickson County Fire and Rescue, Ingham said.