The Cornelius Town Board unanimously approved the expenditure of $204,092 to repair a Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue Department fire boat, corneliustoday.com reported. Funds will be transferred from the 2023 fiscal year budget general fund surplus in order to cover the cost of the repair.

Speaking with commissioners prior to the Feb. 6 board meeting, Fire Chief Guerry Barbee stated that the boat, built in 2010 and known as Fireboat 4, has been experiencing significant engine problems which could impact its ability to respond to emergencies, the report said.

Repairs were originally requested in 2019 but then everything came to a halt due to COVID. There was also an issue getting parts for the boat engines. When this approved work is done, the boat will be refurbished from stem to stern, according to Barbee, and it should last another 10-15 years, the report said.

It was announced at Monday’s trustees meeting that both of Liverpool Township’s new 2023 fire engines have arrived, morningjournalnews.com reported.

The engines, which will replace the 28-year-old trucks currently in use, will be provided to LaCroft and Dixonville, the two fire departments that provide service to the township, the report said.

The Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire Station 2 was emptied out in September when Hurricane Ian flooded the building. However, FEMA has one final inspection this week and then remodeling can begin, wmbfnews.com reported.

Hurricane Ian destroyed all the station’s appliances, knocked out electricity, drenched its drywall and ruined the floors, the report said.

Crews are currently operating from the fire station’s headquarters about five minutes down the road.

After FEMA’S final inspection Thursday, they’ll order supplies to remodel, the report said. Once those supplies come in, a fire official said it should only take about a month or so before the fire station is back up and running, according to the report.

Hopkinsville City Council took another step Tuesday night toward constructing the city’s fifth fire station, hoptownchronicle.org reported. 

Following a closed session to discuss property acquisition, council members voted unanimously to purchase a 10-acre parcel near the Walmart Distribution Center for $2.5 million from DDL 10, a company based in Illinois, the report said.

The site is just off Fort Campbell Boulevard on the southern edge of the city limits at 101 Walton Way. Mayor James R. Knight Jr. confirmed to Hoptown Chronicle that the city plans to construct a fire station there, according to the report. 

The site includes a one-story, brick building with 34,543 square foot of space divided among two conference rooms and 24 smaller offices, the report said.