The department introduced Engine 32 in a ceremony where firefighters sprayed water on the truck.

The engine also received a blessing before firefighters pushed it into the station. North Garden Chief George Stephens says the new truck has more safety features.

"The types of steps we have in the back to again make it easier to get up on the engine itself, some of the other devices we have meaning being able to access the tools and equipment from the ground and again not climbing on the apparatus," said George Stephens, North Garden Volunteer Fire Company Chief.

The structure is to cost no more than $3.4 million and town officials are hopeful the bids come in less than that.

The $3.4 million figure doesn't include the $375,000 the town paid for the four acres the station will sit on, four acres Minocqua fire chief Andy Petrowski said could be used for other town buildings in another 10 to 15 years if that was the way the town board chose to go.

During the course of his presentation, Petrowski said that $3.4 million will get a good, basic building that will be expected to last several decades. 

Another $150,000 would be used to furnish the building but would not be part of the price approved by voters. 

Those funds, Petrowski said, would come from the fire department itself.

Town chairman Mark Hartzheim said among the features of the approximately 14,000 square foot fire station will be a fourth equipment bay to allow for any future truck or vehicle purchase by the town for the department, a 150 kilowatt natural gas generator that would have the capability to provide backup power to the entire facility in the event of an emergency and a heated floor in the equipment bays. 

"I thank the committee ... they spent a lot of time on this," he said. "I think I went to all of their meetings on this and they've spent a lot of time and put a lot of thought into this."

Hartzheim said he believes everyone recognizes a new building is needed. 

"That (old fire station) served us well for over 40 years as a temporary facility," he said. "This thing we're looking at should last us 80 to 100 years."

Tony Birchfield, of the department, applied for a grant through Ameren's website a few months ago. After submitting the application, Birchfield heard back about 30 days later that they had received the grant for $1,100. With the money, they purchased the new gas monitor.

Birchfield said they often get called out for gas leaks, structure fires and regulators that have popped and the monitor will help in those situations for the safety of the public and the department.

Fire Chief Ken Barrick said usually when they are called for CO detectors, it is because the detector needs to be replaced.