Reading City Council, at its Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, heard a request for funding three firefighting vehicles from the Reading Fire Department. The estimated cost: $3.5 million, wfmz.com reported.

The request is being made to replace three vehicles due to their age and costly maintenance and repairs, the report said.

A fire official said he was hoping the city would designate money from American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to the report.

A 16-year-old rescue truck, a 15-year-old pumper and a 14-year-old aerial ladder truck need to be replaced, the fire official said. He cited specific incidents when the vehicles broke down during use at emergency calls.

The wait time for the vehicles to be delivered would be anywhere from 18 months to two years, the report said.

There appears to be support for the request from the city council, the report said. A city official said in the past fire apparatus had always been purchased with a combination of capital funds and monies from the state’s Community Development Block Grant. The city official said that would still be the preferred method in order to not draw too much money from remaining ARPA funds.

Yesterday, members of Local 456 delivered this 1897 American LaFrance Steamer to Sacramento Regional Fire Museum. The Museum reached out to us last year about displaying it. Local 456 took the opportunity of delivering this piece of history to a location that all could enjoy. pic.twitter.com/GTnMKeEbym

— Stockton Fire (@stocktonfire) January 18, 2023

From the Twitter account for Stockton (CA) Firefighters Local 456:

“Yesterday, members of Local 456 delivered this 1897 American LaFrance Steamer to Sacramento Regional Fire Museum. The museum reached out to us last year about displaying it. Local 456 took the opportunity of delivering this piece of history to a location that all could enjoy.”

A three-story building that stood for more than a century in downtown Laurel was being taken down Wednesday afternoon following an early morning fire that damaged the brick structure beyond repair. No injuries were reported, and the State Fire Marshal's Office continues to investigate the blaze that destroyed the 113-year-old building located at 130 E.
- PUB DATE: 1/19/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Delaware Online - Metered Site

VIDEO: A former firefighter who was badly burned on the job is turning his pain into purpose. Jake LaFerriere helped set up a first-of-its kind facility for families facing the same struggles. It was in 2010 when LaFerriere's life changed forever when he was on duty as a Minneapolis firefighter. "I was on fire and I jumped from the third floor, and by the grace of God I survived this experience because there was a porch overhand down here that caught me," LaFerriere said.
- PUB DATE: 1/19/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCCO-TV CBS 4 Minneapolis

PHOTO: REV Fire Group has partnered with Daytona International Speedway to provide four firefighting trucks to the track ahead of the 2023 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and Daytona 500. While these include standard pumpers, one will be an electric model called the Vector. “We are excited to provide the all-electric Vector for our Florida neighbor, Daytona International Speedway, to protect its employees, NASCAR drivers, and the many fans and spectators who attend The Great American Race and other events,” commented REV Fire Group Vice President Mike Virnig.
- PUB DATE: 1/19/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Checkered Flag