Funding for volunteer fire departments is one of the biggest challenges besides managing calls. Marthasville, for example runs off a $300,000 budget, fire chief Jeff Backhaus said. Maintaining a fire truck costs about $35,000 alone, he said.

Luckily, the department’s funding is about to change. The department will receive extra funding through a ballot initiative that passed on April 2 that grants the department a $1.75 million bond. With it, they will build a new fire station and update their equipment. Backhaus said while other departments in the area have less funding, they try to help them out. For example, Marthasville lent its fire truck to the neighboring department, Augusta, when its fire truck was out of service.

Elenbaas said the entire expansion footprint consists of 15,000 square feet and comes with two options: adding onto the existing fire station or constructing a new building on property the township currently owns.  

Officials say the fire department is currently equipped to serve the approximately 25,000 people in Allendale Township. However, the number of residents is projected to grow over the years, and Elenbaas said the township needs to be ready.

A southbound Tesla sedan ran into Fire Engine No. 5 around 5:15 p.m. as it was parked to protect first responders at a crash scene on I-35 between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Fourth Street. The sedan hit the front driver side of the truck, damaging the bumper, emergency lights and door area, fire officials said.  

No injuries were reported, but reports indicated the driver may have been distracted before the crash.

Chief Stanley Lucky says he was notified early Monday morning that one of his fire trucks was in the middle of old 8th St. Road. with damage. Chief Deputy Ward Calhoun says the truck was noticed by a passing motorist the call 911. The suspect was still behind the wheel when deputies arrived.

Tommy Lee Hill has been charged with burglary, DUI and motor vehicle theft. His total bond is set at $35,000. He is also currently on a hold from another agency. Chief Lucky says he was very surprised the suspect was able to crank the truck much less drive it. He says turning on the engine is a multi-step process. Lucky says the man had nothing but disregard for the department and the public.