JOHN GITTINGS
WiscNews
(TNS)

Baraboo has been awarded long-awaited federal funding for its future fire and paramedic stations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Tuesday that the city of Baraboo is receiving a $24 million Rural Development Program loan, which will fund the upcoming Baraboo Area Fire and EMS District stations. A main station will be on the city’s west side, with a satellite facility on the northeast side.

Sleeping quarters, a training area for new responders and five firetruck and ambulance bays will be part of the main facility, which will be about 39,000 square feet and located on a vacant lot owned by the city.

Upcoming Baraboo Fire-EMS main facility

The main Baraboo Area Fire and EMS District station is slated to be about 39,000 square feet and feature five garages. It would be located along Highway 136 at Sauk Avenue.

Upcoming Baraboo Fire-EMS satellite facility

The satellite Baraboo Area Fire and EMS District station is slated to be roughly 12,000 square feet and have three garages. It will be at the intersection of Taft Avenue and 12th Street on the city’s east side.

A smaller, 12,500-square foot satellite facility will feature three bays. The locations were chosen based on call volume for fire and paramedic services, according to Laura Eysnogle, an architect with Five Bugles Design of Eau Claire.

Funding approval was announced after a roughly three-year wait, as the city’s Community Development Authority applied for it in 2023. The funding carries a 40-year repayment plan.

Earlier this year, the city’s Common Council discussed the possibility of needing to apply for general obligation bonds to cover the costs due to uncertainty surrounding federal dollars.

“This marks a major milestone in our efforts to enhance emergency services for the city, village and surrounding towns,” Baraboo Area Fire and EMS District EMS Chief Caleb Johnson said. “We firmly believe these new facilities will have a positive impact for the communities.”

Currently, the district operates from a downtown Baraboo building at 135 4th Street, which was built in 1868 and added to in 1957. Baraboo Area Fire and EMS District serves the city, village of West Baraboo and surrounding rural townships.

“Securing the loan approval from the USDA is certainly a big milestone, but there are still several steps that need to be completed in order to bring the new stations to fruition,” Baraboo Mayor Rob Nelson said.

WEB_ONLY_#22851_042625_BAR_Baraboo fire stations

Estimates in 2023 put the cost of the project at between $22.4 million to $24.8 million. Once bids are received, the city will have a “much firmer grasp” on costs and any additional needed financing, according to Nelson.

The city’s Common Council will put the project out for bid on Tuesday, with a groundbreaking this fall, “if all goes smoothly,” according to Nelson. The city and surrounding communities have until next May to break ground on the stations or they would need to resubmit designs to the USDA and Wisconsin Department of Safety and Public Services.

“We look forward to continuing this p

A stolen Everett (WA) Fire Department pumper wreaked havoc Friday night, July 18, 2025, as it barreled through north Everett colliding with multiple parked cars and damaging property across five locations, komonews.com reported. The suspect remains at-large.

Damage could be seen to trees, road signs, and a dozen vehicles, officials said, The Seattle Times reported.

The Everett Fire Department posted the following on its Facebook page:

[Update July 19, 2025, at 3:45 p.m.]

EVERETT, Washington – Everett Police Detectives are continuing their investigation into the theft of Everett Fire’s engine and the series of collisions that followed. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this incident to call the Everett Police Department TIP LINE at (425) 257-8450.

Police Chief John DeRousse stated, “Losing a fire engine to such a reckless person not only jeopardizes the safety of our first responders but also puts our community at risk. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents, and any information that helps us resolve this incident is crucial. It is imperative that we hold the suspect accountable for their actions, and we will work diligently to bring them to justice.”

Fire Chief Dave DeMarco added, “We are actively reviewing this incident and examining our policies and procedures to see what, if anything, can be done to help prevent such occurrences in the future. We are thankful that no one was injured in this event, and we remain focused on safeguarding our community and our emergency response capabilities. We also want to take this opportunity to thank the community for their ongoing support. We are here to serve them, and their trust inspires us to continue our dedication to their safety.”

The media have inquired about the engine’s weight. The 2018 Pierce Enforcer pumper weighs approximately 35,000 pounds, making it a substantial vehicle when in motion. This engine is one of our newer engines in the fleet.

The investigation is still ongoing, and the Everett Police Department appreciates the community’s support and cooperation. Anyone with leads, video footage, or information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the TIP LINE to help bring the responsible party to justice.

The post Stolen Fire Apparatus Hits Parked Cars, Damages Property appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

CHRISTINE COMPTON
Independent Record, Helena, Mont.
(TNS)

Final preparations are underway for Helena’s third fire station, which is expected to begin construction in December.

The city aims to finish the third fire station by June 2027, bond documents state.

Helena’s Third Fire Station Rendering

Construction is expected to begin in December on Helena’s third fire station.

It will be on the corner of Custer Avenue and Kelleher Lane, north of Costco and adjacent to the Helena Wastewater Maintenance office at 2218 E. Custer Ave.

Funding it all is $7 million in bonds, which were narrowly approved by voters in June 2024. Financial details were presented to city commissioners Wednesday alongside a general timeline.

The new station will have an on-campus training area and expanded office space.

Helena had been looking to build a third fire station since 2006, when early evaluations reported the city was outgrowing its two-station model.

The big problem lies in Helena’s fire response time. The national standard for fire response was 6.5 minutes, but Helena Fire hovered around 12 in 2022, according to previous IR reporting.

Both completed fire stations are south of the train tracks, opposite from where the town is steadily expanding. The city has cited slow emergency response times to push for an underpass where the railroad crosses Montana Avenue.

Even with a third fire station, response times won’t get any faster without a bigger crew, Fire Chief Jon Campbell previously told the Independent Record.

A staffing levy ran alongside the stations bond in 2024 and failed with a 55% disapproval.

Helena’s Third Fire Station Rendering

Helena’s Fire Station No. 3 will be completed around June 2027, according to city bond documents.

Sometimes, 10 fire staff are on call, but over 90% of the year, Helena Fire only has eight people available, Campbell estimated.

He wouldn’t be able to split his crew between three buildings, and the two southern stations at the Helena Civic Center and 650 Hannaford St. are better placed for emergency response than the new northern one.

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Although the new station could be used for training or offices, Campbell said Helena won’t see better emergency services until it finds a way to fund staff.

A staffing levy currently isn’t set to be on the upcoming primary or general election ballots for the city of Helena.

As for the bond’s sale, city commissioners will be asked to approve sales this Monday, city documents state. Receipts, which will document the bonds’ pr