Polk  County (FL) Fire Rescue has committed to building 17 fire station, at a cost of $4 million each, over the next several years as a way to reduce the risk of cancer for firefighters, according to a report published by WFTS ABC Action News.

The new fire stations will be designed to separate firefighters from carcinogens to which they may have exposure, according to the television report.

The first of the stations was opened in Kathleen in October and is divided into red, yellow and green zones, each signifying the possible risk of carcinogen exposure, the report said.

The new station also has a workout weight room in the green zone to give firefighters a place to exercise in a green-zone area, the report said, noting that the average firefighter spends up to 33 percent of their lives in the fire station.

According to a report from FOX5, the San Diego (CA) Sheriff’s Department (SDSD) has officially opened the new, first-of-its-kind Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVOC) Center in Otay Mesa to aid police, firefighters, and other first responders in practicing evasive maneuvers and vehicle training in San Diego County.

The SDSD said that first responders spend more time driving than any

A dedication ceremony for a new Airport Rescue and Firefighting Apparatus (ARFF) was held at the Stillwater Regional Airport, according to the Stillwater NewsPress.

Airport Director Paul Priegel told reporters that the apparatus that was replaced had been manufactured in 2000 and had about a 20-year lifespan, so it was due for an upgrade.

“This apparatus is the safest, the latest, and greatest firefighting equipment on the market, and we’re super excited to be able to provide it for safety here at Stillwater Regional Airport,” Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce said. He said it’s comforting to know the ARFF is here in case there is an emergency.

Joyce said the health, safety, and quality of life of visitors and community members are “on our mind when it comes to this partnership and putting the funds available to make this possible.”

Stillwater Fire Chief Terry Essary ended the dedication with the symbolic “wet down” of the apparatus, with firefighters using water from the old rig to wash the new one.

Meriden (CT) is expecting to use about $660,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to buy a new fire pumper for its South Meriden fire station, according to a report published by myrecordjournal.com.

Meriden will likely receive more than $35.3 in federal funds with the city receiving close to three dozen funding requests with more than 20 coming from city departments, according to the report.

A steer committee set up to help decide how to spend the money voted 6 to 2 for the fire truck request, according to the report.

Meriden’s fire chief said the fire department tries to replace the city’s fire department vehicles on a 3-year cycle, according to the report, adding the chief said the department typically gets about 22 years of useable service out of its existing fire pumpers.