With a 1907 birth, it’s believed to be the city’s oldest resident: the downtown Hamilton fire station.

Soon that will not be the case, though. The cramped and dangerous quarters are getting a $5.4 million replacement, set to break ground in August, reports kpax.com.

At the time of the current facility’s construction, its bay was two barn doors out of which the horse-drawn wagons came, according to the report. The corner of Fox Field and Skeels is the site of the future fire station; and the change is due to size, setting, and safety.

The department in the past has had to special order apparatus to get them to fit in the station. Plus, there’s no decon room, which puts crew at a higher risk of cancer.

The city’s general fund, a state grant, and the board of investments will help pay for the new digs, which are expected to be operational by fall 2023.

City officials are hoping the community will contribute in covering the facility’s soft costs, which should come in around $150,000. The department plans to send out a donation mailing, the report notes.

The Springfield Fire Department (SFD) has donated a pair of fire trucks—Engines 16 and 17—to the Elizabethtown Fire Department (EFD).

Along with the apparatus, EFD received a generator, four fans, axes, pike poles, nozzles, hoses, and fittings.

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“Today we prolonged the useful life of two of our most ‘experienced’ rigs,” SFD writes on Facebook. “We donated Engines 16 and 17 to Elizabethtown (IL) Fire Department who can give them the TLC they deserve. The twin Luvernes were purchased in May of 1994 and had most recently served in our reserve fleet. Thanks to Fire Chief John Rose of the EFD for coming up to take them to their new home.”

“We just want to say ‘Thank You’ to the Springfield Fire Department,” EFD writes. “We couldn’t be more grateful for the trucks, equipment, and new opportunities you’ve given us.

“Again, thank you.”

The Oakmont Volunteer Fire Department plans to replace two old fire trucks with a 2022 Sutphen aerial, reports triblive.com.

The department got a deal by going with a demo model; its cost is about $1.265 million with $1.175 million coming from the borough and $90,000 from the department, with the department’s share covered via state relief.

The new fire truck is set for an August delivery, which will send to auction on Municibid the department’s 1971 Mack aerial 1996 Pierce engine, both of which are in working condition, according to the report. All funds will go to the borough.

The new apparatus comes with a 100-foot ladder mounted in the middle, akin to the Mack, though its reach extends farther than its predecessor’s 75 feet. In addition, the new one has a pump and can carry water, two things the Mack lacked.

The department’s station will have to undergo some remodeling to fit the new apparatus, officials say.

The Anderson Fire Department has received approval to buy a new fire truck at FDIC International 2022 in Indianapolis from April 25-30, reports heraldbulletin.com.

Public Safety officials Monday approved the department’s request to negotiate with vendors for a new pumper truck.

The pumper will replace a 13-year-old apparatus at Station 7. The current fire truck has had its transmission replaced twice and the engine once.

It’s not the department’s first rodeo, as it has purchased equipment during the conference before, the report says.

FDIC International 2022 takes place April 25-30, 2022.

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