The current fire station is so small that the town had to purchase specially designed firetrucks to fit inside, Fire Chief Pete Shedd said.

The idea now being discussed is to attach a new garage, large enough to fit four regularly sized firetrucks, onto the department’s current building in central Bernardston, freeing up the rest of the building for office space and other uses, Shedd said.

This is a reduction from the Fire Station Expansion Committee’s previous hopes that the town might purchase the Valley Concrete Property on Route 10 near Mount Hermon Road. The Selectboard voted against pursuing that property last summer, citing concerns over longer response times due to the location’s distance from central Bernardston.

Replacing a 22-year-old engine, the $530,000 vehicle is an important addition to the busy station, which serves the downtown area, Mr. Augustus said.

The city has purchased or ordered nine additional fire vehicles the last five years, at about $8 million, Mr. Augustus noted.

Also, as part of an ongoing effort to maintain staffing, the city will commence another class of 22 new firefighters through the academy in March, he said. The safety enhancements include better lighting, more ergonomically correct seat belts, better traction control, and upgraded mechanical systems.