According to a report from The Falmouth Enterprise, $870,000 was appropriated for a new fire engine and $100,000 for a reserve fire/rescue vehicle “suitable for service” for Falmouth (MA) Fire/Rescue (FFR) at the city’s town meeting.

In moving the amendment to request $100,000 for the reserve vehicle, Select Board member Douglas C. Brown noted that FFR does not currently have a backup fire engine. 

Paul Sellers, from FFR Precinct Six, said that having a backup engine is necessary in keeping its West Falmouth station open. He also said that purchasing another vehicle is paramount in trying to keep that station open until FFR has a combination West and North Falmouth station built, which is years away.

The board also voted down an amendment by J. Malcolm Donald, also from FFR Precinct Six, which called for striking the purchase of the new $870,000 fire engine until the West Falmouth fire station is staffed. The amendment failed by a vote of 12-193. 

The post Falmouth (MA) Board Approves Purchase of Two Fire Trucks appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

According to a report from NWAOnline, the city council in Bella Vista, Arkansas, voted unanimously to amend its contract with Clinard Construction Management to build a new Fire Station No. 3 at a guaranteed maximum price of $2.45 million. In a previous contract, the price wasn’t previously determined.

Bella Vista Mayor Peter Christie emphasized the price is a maximum and the city is not guaranteed to spend this entire amount. During the construction for Fire Station No. 4, he said, the same construction management firm saved the city $58,000.

A breakdown included with the amendment broke the estimate down into categories, the largest portion being site construction, which was valued at $414,542, electrical at $357,436, and general requirements such as permits, bonds, labor, contingencies, and other expenses at $325,089.

Groundwork continues to be laid on the property. Mark Clinard with Clinard Construction said he expects the station to be completed on October 1.

The post Bella Vista (AR) City Council Amends Fire Station Contract appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

According to a report from KPLC, the Ward 6 Fire Department (W6FD) in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, was hit hard by Hurricane Laura five months ago. Although the storm destroyed one of their stations, they’re still working hard to keep the area safe.

Last year was a record year not just for hurricanes and coronavirus but also Calcasieu Parish emergency responders. W6FD District 1 Chief Todd Parker said the department has had to respond to a record number of calls while the number of members is at an all-time low.

Parker stated that the community is simply unaware of how volunteers are needed in the fire service. His jurisdiction is chartered for 60 volunteers, but the number of members they have sits at just 18. This has been made even harder with an increase in call volume.

Now an empty lot takes place on the grounds that housed one of Ward 6′s LA-27 location, which was the hardest hit by the storm.

Despite the damage, the department plans to keep the location operational by getting a temporary garage that will house two apparatus and a recreational vehicle for volunteers.

According to Parker, all volunteer fire departments are in desperate need of more volunteers. Ward 6 is looking for volunteers to run social media, file paperwork, answer calls, and even photograph incident scenes.

If you are interested in volunteering for Ward 6 District, CLICK HERE.

The post Fire Department in Calcasieu Parish (LA) Looks to Rebuild Station After Hurricane Laura appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

According to a report from KPLC, the Ward 6 Fire Department (W6FD) in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, was hit hard by Hurricane Laura five months ago. Although the storm destroyed one of their stations, they’re still working hard to keep the area safe.

Last year was a record year not just for hurricanes and coronavirus but also Calcasieu Parish emergency responders. W6FD District 1 Chief Todd Parker said the department has had to respond to a record number of calls while the number of members is at an all-time low.

Parker stated that the community is simply unaware of how volunteers are needed in the fire service. His jurisdiction is chartered for 60 volunteers, but the number of members they have sits at just 18. This has been made even harder with an increase in call volume.

Now an empty lot takes place on the grounds that housed one of Ward 6′s LA-27 location, which was the hardest hit by the storm.

Despite the damage, the department plans to keep the location operational by getting a temporary garage that will house two apparatus and a recreational vehicle for volunteers.

According to Parker, all volunteer fire departments are in desperate need of more volunteers. Ward 6 is looking for volunteers to run social media, file paperwork, answer calls, and even photograph incident scenes.

If you are interested in volunteering for Ward 6 District, CLICK HERE.

The post Fire Department in Calcasieu Parish (LA) Looks to Rebuild Station After Hurricane Laura appeared first on Fire Apparatus.