A federal grant is paying for a study to determine whether the building is exposing firefighters to toxic levels of known carcinogens from the exhaust of fire trucks and rescue vehicles.

The Tucson City Council is considering whether to put a half-cent sales tax increase on the ballot next May. The tax would generate an estimated $50 million annually, with approximately $30 million going to replace aging equipment — including this station — and to repair infrastructure for the Tucson Police and Fire departments.

The other $20 million would go to road projects under the current proposal being considered by the council.

Assistant Fire Chief Joe Gulotta says Station No. 3 hasn’t changed much since he started working with the department 27 years ago.

He paces back and forth on the empty cement floor of the two-vehicle garage as he explains his concerns about various threats to the health of employees.

He points to a makeshift gym set up only a few feet from the fire engine’s usual parking spot,and to a rack of firefighter gear hanging less than a foot away from the paramedic transport vehicle’s spot. Diesel exhaust coats the gym and the gear.

Williams was responsible for delivering supplies to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department stations.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said he had been to each of several fire stations where thefts were reported.

Officers placed a camera and money in three locations in the kitchen area of a fire station where Williams was scheduled to make a delivery.

Williams took $167 from two areas where money was placed, police said.

Officers said they took Williams into custody and found a large sum of money in his left pants pocket.

The 2016 model 105-foot Pierce Arrow heavy-duty ladder truck, which will be used by the district's 36-member crew, meets all current state Department of Transportation, National Fire Protection Association and emergency standards, according to South Fire District Chief Robert Ross. "Its safety features include airbags, anti-roll protection and a different suspension system that offers a much-improved ride and stability on the road. It has a bigger pump and is equipped with a (more efficient) class A foam."

Also, the truck can can pump up to 2,000 gallons per minute as opposed to the older vehicle, which could only handle 1,500 gallons within that time frame, the chief explained. South Fire's coverage area -- essentially from South Main Street to the Connecticut River -- consists of the 25-square-mile South Farms area of the city.

A quintuple combination pumper, referred to as a quint by crews, is a fire service apparatus that serves the dual purpose of an engine and ladder truck, Ross said. Quint refers to its five functions -- it works as a pump, water tank, fire hose, aerial device and ground ladder.

As part of the last budget package, Ross explained, voters approved up to $950,000 for a new truck and equipment. "We negotiated $945,000, less the $35,000 trade-in value (for the former 20-year-old truck), and negotiated an additional $15,000 worth of equipment. We'll probably spend in the $940,000 range by the time we equip it and have radios installed," he added.

During its Nov. 17 meeting, the district board approved the renovation of a ladder tender truck not to exceed $465,000. This 12-year-old truck based at Station 102 on Stardust Boulevard would cost $650,00o to replace. Assistant Fire Chief Tim Van Scoter and two other employees researched the options and recommended this was a good opportunity to refurbish rather than replace such an expensive fire apparatus.

They chose items to put into the refurbished truck and eliminated some recommended items. "They eliminated the list of 'dream big' items," Fire Chief Rob Biscoe said.

Mr. Van Scooter said work to refurbish the truck would be 3-4 weeks.

"Once the board approves this cost, the process is to meet with the two bidders -- three bidders decided not to make an offer," he said. "The price, timing and details would be sent for legal opinion before a contract is drafted."

Board members also discussed call response times now that the district covers an area twice as large as before consolidation with the Wittmann fire district.

The American Heart Association determined brain death and permanent death start to occur in 4-6 minutes after someone experiences cardiac arrest. Therefore, the goal of most fire districts is to arrive at medical calls within four minutes.

October NCFMD calls showed time of arrival at 3:46 minutes in Sun City West. The Wittman District showed 9:14 minutes. The longest time of arrival was in the White Wing area, northwest of Sun City West, at 10:58 minutes.