The building, which is located on N. Jefferson Ave. and named for the Covington's mayor from 1967 to 1991, had not undergone a major renovation since its construction in 1972, according to Covington Fire Chief Gary Blocker. He said the improvements were "well-needed." The changes include a complete renovation of the inside of the firehouse, as well as repaved driveways. A new carbon monoxide system that ventilates the station when trucks are being worked on warns firefighters when carbon monoxide levels reach a dangerous threshold.

The 104-foot ladder firetruck was purchased last year using funding from the city’s fleet department, Fire Chief Raymond Barton said at a Monday, June 24 press conference.  

“Our platform truck was so old it was taken out of service and when the emergency managers came in they sold the old flat platform truck for scrap,” Barton said. “When we would have a large commercial fire, we would have to request mutual aid and get a platform truck from Davison, Clio and Mundy Township, whoever had a platform available.”

One of the platform truck’s most important features, Barton said, is its ability to rescue people from tall buildings more safely. Before residents being rescued would have to climb down the 70-foot ladder of the city’s firetrucks.