Voters at a special town meeting in Avon Tuesday night approved purchasing two new vehicles for the Avon Volunteer Fire Department, Patch.com reported.

There were two questions on the agenda, each one for a different vehicle that would be utilized by the AVFD, the report said.

In separate 126-1 votes, town meeting attendees approved bonding $1.259 million for a new pumper tanker truck and $2.172 million for a new ladder truck, according to the report.

The existing models currently being utilized by the AVFD are in excess of 20 years old and proponents say it is better to replace now than undertake expensive repairs and renovations for the older models, the report said.

A recent lightning strike on the old radio tower at the Carthage Police and Fire Department building damaged several thousand dollars’ worth of equipment, city officials told commissioners Monday, PanolaWatchman.com reported.

A fire official, giving his quarterly update at the city commission meeting, said the old tower at the police and fire building took a direct lighting hit on Jan. 2 that affected “probably about $40,000 worth of computer electrical phone, ice machines, just a lot of equipment within the fire police building,” the report said.

A police official also noted some damage to the department’s recorder, costing about $25,000, according to the report.

City Manager Steve Williams told officials that the damage from the lightning strike has been covered by insurance, the report said.

Brookfield Renewable U.S. recently donated $8,000 to the Fulton Fire Department toward the purchase of a rapid deployment rescue boat and additional rescue equipment, said Fulton Fire Chief Adam Howard, OswegoCountyNewsNow.com reported.

According to the company’s website, Brookfield Renewable U.S. is a leading owner, operator and developer of renewable power, delivering innovative, renewable power solutions that accelerate the world towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.

A rapid deployment craft, or RDC, allows a rescuer or rescue team to quickly reach a victim and safely retrieve them from open or ice-covered water, the chief said.

In addition to the RDC, the donation helped purchase ropes, life vests, helmets, swiftwater rescue suits and more, the report said.

Dorchester County is spending millions to improve its firefighting infrastructure, which includes opening two fire stations this year, postandcourier.com reported.

The Ladson Fire and EMS Station on Ladson Road is being rebuilt after the old building was demolished in March 2022, the report said. The old Ladson Fire and EMS Station’s entrance didn’t face the road, but the new one will, a fire official said.

The $3.3 million project will hold up to 12 employees, including EMS, nine vehicles and other various equipment, according to the report.

The department hopes to move into the Ladson station in April or May.

The county recently finished working on a new volunteer fire station on Sandridge Road, near St. George, the report said. It will offer a level of service that didn’t exist before in the area, a fire official said.