It has not been used as a fire station since 2014 when a new building was built closer to downtown Waco. Another city department has used it as office and storage space. 

The deadline to bid on the property is Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. The minimum bid on the building is $120,960.

Chief Scott Evans filed a certified affidavit in Atlantic County Superior Court that details his concerns the state-mandated changes to the firefighter schedule, as well as department-wide reductions in staff, salaries, benefits and compensation time, are “unsafe and unreasonable” and “will not permit ACFD to efficiently provide fire protection services to the City of Atlantic City.”  

State Department of Community Affairs spokeswoman Lisa Ryan said Evans’ concerns are being taken seriously and added, “There are differing opinions about what the conditions on the ground are, how they can best be resolved and what steps the Fire Department’s leadership can take to effectively manage staff and resources.”

The Bridge Street and Kalamazoo Avenue stations each received a new engine. A city release said those stations hadn’t received a new fire engine since 1996.  

Each of the vehicles cost about $456,7000 and are expected to serve the city for 10 years. Each of them can carry 750 gallons of water and are capable of delivering 1,500 gallons of water per minute.

The department’s new engine, a 2018 Pierce Dash CF PUC, has features that mirror engine three, which went into service several years ago. These features include LED lighting and tool storage trays that roll out for easier access. The cost of the vehicle and its equipment is $820,000.

Before making its way to Waxahachie, the engine will be showcased at the Fire-Rescue International Conference and Expo, held Aug. 8-11 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.

According to the conference’s website, the event provides education for fire and emergency service leaders from around the globe. It also features hundreds of exhibitors who display the latest fire service innovations that include apparatuses, technology, equipment, and gear.