Constantine Village (MI) officials recently reviewed a report by structural engineers on damage to the fire station, as requested by department officials, reports sturgisjournal.com.

The station, which is 84 years old, has significant vertical cracking on the north and south walls, a corner of an east wall, and significant deterioration of a steel lintels of the four supporting doors firetrucks exit, the report says.

The report recommends providing temporary support of the roof framing and above the lintels at the east wall, replacing steel lintels above overhead doors, repairing masonry, and replacing the roof.

Officials say that the station roof, which is 30-35 years old, leaks extensively and needs to be replaced at upwards of $69,000.

One location for a potential new station would be a D&S grocery/gas station building the village owns, as it boasts more space for training, storage, offices, and possible a community room.

A Fire Authority would need to be formed if the department decides to ask for a fire/public safety millage for funds, the report says.

Steal Squad 90 once, shame on me. Steal it three times in two days…

The Tolar (TX) Volunteer Fire Department knows that mantra all too well, after its Squad 90 was taken for a joyride thrice in a span of 48 hours, reports hcnews.com.

Nineteen-year-old Granbury man Ethan Mac Dobelbower was arrested around 7 p.m. Tuesday and charged with seven felony counts in connection with the theft, officials say. Bail has not yet been set, and he will be arraigned later today, Thursday.

The charges include: three counts of burglary of a building (state jail felony); three counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (state jail felony); and one count of theft (second-degree felony). The report notes that there was no forced entry, and the theft charge applies to the fact that he did not return the truck the third time.

Police officials say Dobelbower broke into the station without permission and took a rescue truck for a drive three different times on Monday and Tuesday; the third time he left the apparatus at Tolar Elementary School, where it—along with the suspect nearby—was found.

Dobelbower has no affiliation with the fire department, and his motive remains unclear, according to the report.

Squad 90 has approximately $300,000 worth of equipment on board, the report says. However, no damage to the apparatus or its equipment has been detected.

See a Merritt (Canada) Fire Rescue truck get towed from floodwaters on Monday night.

Officials say crews were responding to a rescue call around 8:30 p.m. when the vehicle became inoperable. A report from Castanet says water got into the apparatus’ intake, causing it to stall.

No injuries were reported, and the truck is undergoing repairs and should be back soon.

Ferrara—Thomas Township Fire Department, Saginaw, MI, 77-foot rear-mount aerial ladder quint. Cinder cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,750-gpm pump; UPF Poly 500-gallon water tank; 77-foot 3-section rear-mount aerial ladder with 500-pound tip load flowing 1,500 gpm. Dealer: Jim Stover, Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Holden, LA.

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