During 2017, that meant for more than 1,000 calls, the fire engine was out of service while the ambulance was on a call. The ambulance was out of service for over 150 calls while the fire engine was on a call.

The fire chief proposed a $2.05 million renovation to Fire Station No. 3, which will enlarge the staff quarters, living area, apparatus bay, storage and driveway to adequately handle the current equipment and additional staff.

In 2017, Billerica Housing Authority Executive Director Bob Correnti proposed the town transform the old school building into a 50 or 60-unit housing development. Correnti estimated the construction timeline would be somewhere between two and three years for completion and would cost approximately $16 million to the developer.

One lieutenant and three firefighters will man the station at all times, along with at least one paramedic, the district said. A brand-new, custom-made 107-foot-long ladder truck made in Wisconsin will also call the station home. The vehicle, costing more than $1 million after being fully stocked, will have pump capabilities as well as a full suite of medical equipment and drugs, the district said.

Santone would like to move the four remaining 2003 front-line rigs to second-line vehicles, joining one 2003 engine and the 2003 tower truck as reserve rigs. He also would like to replace the bureau’s front-line tower, a 1999 KME, and its front-line rescue pumper at Engine Co. 6, a 2000 KME, with new trucks.