INL spokeswoman Misty Benjamin told EastIdahoNews.com the ambulance was following the fire engine when the fire engine suddenly stopped to avoid hitting an animal crossing the road. That’s when the ambulance rear-ended the fire engine, according to Benjamin.

The fire and ambulance crews were not responding to an emergency when the accident happened, Benjamin said, but two of the firefighters were hurt and taken to the hospital.

The new truck was part of a package deal voters approved in April 2012. The city took out a 20-year, $5.3 million bond to build a new fire station and to buy the ladder truck.

Grandview’s ladder truck was on-scene for 24 hours during the incident.

Markham said then the city could use a ladder truck for similar fires and to help with potential disasters in the taller buildings, including the new two-story addition at the high school.

The renovated fire station was built with a ladder truck in mind, including higher ceilings and doors.

Now, the truck itself has been built and needs only a few items to be corrected before it starts its journey to Washington state.

The Dodge Journey was struck on the passenger side. The front passenger side door was caved in, and the airbags deployed.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene, Blemaster said. He doesn’t have any damage totals and that the crash is still being investigated.

Built in 1953, Station 2, now located at 415 New Circle Rd., housed the county fire and police station, including jail cells, before the merger of local government.

Today it’s a firehouse that is overcrowded and its location overlaps the coverage area of another station. In addition, plans to widen New Circle are expected to take away part of the station’s front “apron,” making it unsuitable for use as a firehouse.

The city has been staffing four firehouses, originally built as volunteer stations, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Crews moved into Station 32 in late February, Butts said.

"Our facilities were dilapidated, dated, over 40 years old. We had firefighters sleeping in closets and areas that weren't really designed for 24-hour habitation, so the morale of our personnel is great. They love the new facility," Butts said.

Station 32 and those being built have individual bedrooms for each first responder on shift. The location and layout of the station should improve response times, said battalion chief Jon Durrenberg.