The fire station near U.S. 95 and Jones Boulevard shut down after Las Vegas Fire and Rescue built a brand new and updated facility about a half mile away. The new facility took over calls for the area and according to LVFR firefighters, the response time was always within the target range. 

However, the neighborhoods grew quickly. Since the time the station shut down, the firefighters there have seen a 30% increase in calls to the area. That's why the fire department decided to open the station back up, potentially cutting response times in half. 

The new truck is capable of carrying 3,000 gallons of water and pumping 1,000 gallons per minute, chief Mark Blauch said. That ability is critical in rural areas, where there often may not be a fire hydrant near the scene of a fire. 

The truck cost $390,000, Blauch said. Most of that was raised through fire company fundraisers, although there was also a contribution from North Annville Township.

The new house that the department seeks is designed to reach a wider age range, adding middle school students and the aging adult population as target audiences.

Fire officials are pleased with adding the new ambulance to its fleets because it has several safety features that will help first responders.

Safety features on the new unit include a Stryker power cot and load system, proven to reduce back injuries for paramedics, according to Mercer.