The Payson (AZ) Fire Department recently held a push-in ceremony for a pair of new apparatus—Engines 121 and 111—reports paysonroundup.com.

It had been 12 years since the town purchased a new apparatus, and the department celebrated the $1.5 million investment.

Both apparatus have upgraded safety features, including a clean-cab design. In addition, the engine frames have been reinforced so if the engine rolls it will protect the crew.

The City of Menifee (CA) will hold a public ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new ladder truck tomorrow from 4-5 p.m.

The new apparatus, fully funded by Menifee’s Quality of Life Measure DD, features a clean-cab concept. In addition, the pre-plumbed waterway has been removed from the aerial ladder in favor of a remote-controlled nozzle and three-inch hose configuration. The truck has a larger motor and better suspension.

Fire and city officials will be on hand at the ceremony, and there will be light refreshments and opportunities for interaction with the crew as well as apparatus.

The Decatur (IL) City Council voted Monday to approve the construction of a new Station 7 at Chestnut Avenue just south of U.S. 36, reports herald-review.com.

The vote enters the city into a $3.11 million contract with Bloomington-based Felmley-Dickerson Co. for construction of the new facility.

One of the main reasons for the new station is improved response times. Station 7’s current location is on the southwest corner of the Decatur Airport and is shared by the park district, which runs its own fire operations for the airport.

The new digs is one part of a larger, $8.6 million project to build three new stations and renovate four existing facilities. Funding comes from bonds, the report says, which will be paid back to the tune of about $600,000 a year for the next 20 years. The city also plans to use about $350,000 in federal COVID-19 relief funds to cover cost overruns.

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Spokane County (WA) Fire Department Station 98 was damaged after a man allegedly rammed into the back of the station several times with a vehicle, according to report published by KREM2.

Two brush trucks stationed inside the building were damaged as well and the suspect allegedly stole a fire department Jeep after he made entry to the station, the television station reported.

When Spokane police officer arrived on the scene, he noticed the damaged building and heard an engine revving inside the fire station, KREM2 reported.  Shortly after, the suspect, Aaron P. Kaemuongmul, 45, drove the fire department Jeep through the north door and into the fire station parking lot just as a Spokane County Sheriff’s Office sergeant arrived on the scene, the TV station reported.

The suspect attempted to elude police by driving the fire department vehicle into a field behind the station. Police vehicles were rammed and damaged as officers successfully stopped the suspect in the field and arrested the man, the station reported.

More than $50,000 damage to the building and vehicles was reported, the station reported and the suspect was charged with first-degree burglary for breaking into the fire station, second-degree assault for ramming the police vehicles, first-degree malicious mischief, four-counts of second-degree malicious mischief, third-degree malicious mischief and theft of a motor vehicle. After receiving medical treatment, he was booked into the Spokane County jail, according to the TV station.

A total of three fire vehicles and the patrol car were removed from the scene for inspection and repair, the station reported.

No motive was given for the actions.