The Danville/Boyle County fiscal court voted at its November 22 meeting to allocate an additional $150,000 to help the fire department build its new station near Northpoint Training Center, AMNews.com reported.

The department had originally estimated the new facility would cost $250,000, the report said. The court had previously given them $200,000 of ARPA funds for the project.

However, the project will cost more than estimated due to rising costs of building materials.

A county official said the county will still have about $1 million of ARPA funds left.

Visitors to Clinton’s Christmas in the Village event this Saturday will get to check out the Clinton Fire Department’s new fire engine, LenConnect.com reported.

The engine will be on display 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday, December 3, at an open house at the fire station at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Jackson Street, according to a news release from the fire department.

The new 2023 Spencer Manufacturing engine will be placed in service soon. It will be designated Engine 1.

The fire engine cost $432,235, the report said. The Clinton Fire Board set aside funds for years to be able to make a large cash deposit on a new truck, a village official said.

Visalia (CA) Fire Department added a second Emergency Medical Squad to its fleet this month to remedy the spike in calls, TheSunGazette.com reported.

On November 13, the Visalia Fire Department (VFD) rolled out its second Emergency Medical Squad, known as Squad 53. The medical squad will play a special role in helping the fire department administer medical aid during peak emergency call times, the report said.

The squad vehicles are repurposed SUVs that are stocked with medical supplies and operated by two paramedics, according to the report. 

One of the main differences between the medical squads and an ambulance is that the medical squads will not transport patients to the hospital, the report said.

This morning Visalia Fire launched its second Squad unit into action from Station 53. Squad 53 will respond on a daily basis from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. except for Saturdays. Squad 53 will assist in responses to medical aid calls located in the southern portion of our city. pic.twitter.com/eiL9KIRvN9

— Visalia Fire Dept. (@VisaliaFire) November 14, 2022

BELVIDERE, IL (December 1, 2022) – Taking delivery of a brand new, custom-built Toyne Pumper, the Boone County Fire Protection District No. 2 has enhanced its overall emergency response capabilities. This delivery represents the department’s fourth Toyne apparatus in active service.

Established in 1947, this fire department has been keeping a watchful eye on the residents of Boone County (IL) for over 75 years. Today, the department covers a 144-square-mile territory, protecting nearly 750 farms and homes. This more-than-capable team of 35-plus firefighters needed a new apparatus that was up to the task. For this, Toyne had the pleasure of building another highly capable apparatus for the department.

The tailored pumper has a welded stainless steel body. The body has several different storage options. The main storage compartments on each side of the apparatus are accessible with stainless steel swing-out doors. Firefighters can quickly access tools for the job as these compartments feature tool mounting plates, roll-out storage trays, and more.

Boone County’s latest apparatus boasts a 3,000-gallon UPF tank and 2,000 GPM Hale Qmax pump. A Hale Foam Logix 2.1A foam system and 30-gallon foam cell provide additional fire suppression options. The apparatus is also equipped with an Akron 3418 monitor with a 12-inch electric riser.

Toyne mounted the body onto a Spartan Gladiator ELFD 6×4 chassis. Under the hood is a 500-horsepower Cummins ISX 12 engine and an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. The cab of the Gladiator has a 10-inch raised roof, seating for up to six firefighters, and an in-cab Firecom radio system.

“It is always a pleasure to work with Boone County Fire Protection District and build them a custom pumper to fit all their needs,” said Michael Schwabe, president of Toyne. “We have ha