The Wreck Bay (Australia) Rural Fire Brigade recently had two of its apparatus painted with Indigenous artwork that aims to show identity as opposed to ownership, reports abc.net.au.

Nikita Ridgeway, a Sydney-based artist and director at Boss Lady Design Communications, began working on the design eight months ago. Now, the two trucks have clear depictions of the landscape, flora, and fauna of the region, according to the report.

Jervis Bay Territory footed the bill, and the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Council helped get the project off the ground. Located on the South Coast of New South Wales, the indigenous community’s fire brigade is owned and operated by Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council, the report says.

Officials say Boggabilla Rural Fire Brigade—located on the NSW-Queensland border—also boasts Indigenous artwork on its trucks.

The Orange City (FL) Fire Department is purchasing a $1.48 million, 100-foot Pierce ladder truck, reports beacononlinenews.com.

The department’s current ladder, put into service in 1996, only reaches 75 feet. Its successor will take about a year to build before it’s ready for delivery, officials say. The new apparatus will also be available for emergencies in DeBary, the report says.

The old apparatus will be put up for sale, as it has no trade-in value. The department has eight trucks in its fleet, the report says.

A fire engine and a school bus collided Tuesday morning in Buffalo (NY). No children were on board the bus, but the bus driver and a bus aide sustained injuries, WHEC News 10 reports.

The engine was responding to a two-alarm fire when the accident occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m.

For more information visit WHEC News 10.

Fire Apparatus reported back in May that the renovation project for the Byram (CT) fire station was almost complete, and the Byram Volunteer Fire Department Sunday cut the ribbon to rededicate the facility and celebrate its reopening.

The department was also celebrating 130 years of service.

Construction on the nearly 70-year-old building began in summer 2020. The interior was stripped and remodeled to code, and it was made to be more energy-efficient. The day room and kitchen were expanded, and the upstairs area was improved as well, along with the addition of office space.

In addition, the two middle bays are now a drive-through from Delavan Avenue through the back of the building. In a nod to its 1952 design, the building’s façade was preserved.