Kennebunk (ME) Fire Rescue and the Kennebunkport Fire Department both need a new ladder truck, which would cost more than $1 million each. So, to ease the burden on taxpayers, Kennebunk officials voted to form a new task force to explore sharing fire services, something which Kennebunkport officials are also doing, reports seacoastonline.com.

The two departments are tinkering with the idea of sharing other resources—staff, apparatus, and equipment—to increase efficiency and save taxpayer money, according to the report. The Kennebunk plan, still in its early stages, also has the possibility of forming such a group with another town.

Related: Kennebunk (ME) Votes to Dispose of Fire Apparatus

The task force will comprise town officials, officers, firefighters from both towns, and a facilitator.

Kennebunk has four fire stations: Central Station Rescue & Rescue at 1 Summer St.; Washington Hose Station at 159 Port Rd.; West Kennebunk Station at 80 Thompson Rd.; and the Blueberry Plains Station at 1 Clearbrook Crossing.

Kennebunkport has three: Kennebunkport Village Station at 32 North St.; Cape Porpoise Station at 172 Main St.; and the Goose Rocks Beach Fire Company at 2 Winter Harbor Rd.

A date for the first meeting has not yet been set, but officials hope to kick things off in about a month.

Don’t tread on any flag—but especially not this one.

Trine University freshman Devin Flory spent weeks making an American flag out of firehose, reports wane.com. And its meaning runs much deeper than a standard Old Glory.

The volunteer firefighter practically grew up in the Jewell (OH) Fire Department, as his great grandfather, Robert Flory Sr., was the department’s first fire chief upon its founding in 1953, the report says.

His great uncles, father, and uncles all have followed in Robert Sr.’s footsteps, and, when the young Flory is home from school he builds on the family’s legacy with his old man at the station.

Part of that legacy now hangs outside the station—a six-foot-by-nine-foot American flag made entirely out of retired department hose. According to the report, the hose recently failed testing, Flory got permission, cut it up, painted it, and put it all together. It’s official, too: 13 stripes and 50 stars.

The project took more than two weeks to finish. A smaller version was created for a department apparatus, and the report notes that Flory currently has no plans to create a third.

West Memphis firefighter Jason Lang was struck by an 18-sheeler and killed on Saturday morning while providing assistance during a traffic accident on the side of the interstate.

Lang was en route to an EMT clinical training class in Pine Bluff when the accident occurred. The cause of the accident remains under investigation, though weather may have played a role.

“Firefighter, Jason Lang immediately, and without hesitation, bravely made the ultimate sacrifice, and he will always be remembered for his legacy and bravery for serving others,” said Chief Barry Ealy.

Three Oakland firefighters were injured when their ladder truck crashed into a building while responding to a call. All three have been released from the hospital and will be fine.

The accident happened at about 12:40 Saturday afternoon at 353 Grand Avenue. While responding to a call for a structure fire, the engine had to swerve to avoid a collision with a motor vehicle and crashed into an apartment building.

The apparatus was removed from the building and firefighters checked the building for structural damage. The cause of the accident remains under investigation while the department reviews video footage of the crash.

Battalion Chief Chris Landry provided an update on the incident where a Truck 4 struck a building at the corner of Grand Ave & Perkins while en route to a structure fire. 3 firefighters suffered moderate injuries and were transported to Highland Hospital. More details to come. pic.twitter.com/2CegBv6w1q

— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) February 26, 2022