To celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, the Greenville (WI) Fire Department has been busy restoring a 1948 Ford truck—the department’s very first engine, also known as “Grandma”—reports NBC26.com.

Now, following 14 months of work at local body shop Fabel Repair & Collision Center, Grandma is back in Greenville. The apparatus hasn’t yet made a public appearance, but officials say she’ll be ready by August.

“Their technicians repaired mechanical and electrical issues to ensure she is safe to drive for years to come,” the department wrote on Facebook, “and then their body shop went to work on repairing body damage and giving her a beautiful paint job. There were many more things they worked on but the list is too long to put here.”

In total, restoration efforts cost more than $50,000, which was paid for by the department through seven years of fundraisers.

The Firebaugh (CA) Fire Department recently broke ground on a new, larger station near P and 13th street, reports abc30.com. Concrete is expected to be poured next week to commence the $5 million project.

Officials say this will be the first new station in 73 years, though renovations were made to it in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’80s. Now with more firefighters and larger apparatus, the department has outgrown it.

The new digs will have complete living quarters, a dormitory, living room, kitchen, and kitchen facilities.

The work is funded by the Community Development Block Grant, and the station is slated to be complete by March 2022.

KME—McAdoo (PA) Fire Company pumper-tanker. Panther LFD cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Hale DSD 1,500-gpm pump; 2,000-gallon polypropylene water tank; aluminum fire body; Onan 6-kW generator. Dealer: Jason Hartz, KME PA.

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EMMITSBURG, MD – Last week, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) announced the 40th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is currently planned to be held in-person on October 2-3, 2021, on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Due to the global pandemic there continues to be uncertainties, about COVID-19 restrictions, and challenges the pandemic may bring.

The NFFF is working closely with the United States Fire Administration (USFA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding any changes impacting the 2021 Memorial. The NFFF wishes to ensure the families of the fallen and the departments who have lost a firefighter, that they are our top priority. Other attendees may be limited, depending on the USFA and FEMA restrictions during that time.

It is a priority of the NFFF to ensure the health and safety of all who will attend the National Memorial Service. We will continue to monitor federal guidelines and/or requirements and provide updates to ensure the fire service and the public are aware of any tightening or easing of restrictions allowing them to participate. We also encourage everyone to follow the CDC guidelines recommending COVID-19 vaccinations. #WeCanDoThis.

About the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit Foundation has developed and expanded programs that fulfill that mandate. Our mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes, provide resources to assist their families in rebuilding their lives, and work within the fire service community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries. https://www.firehero.org