"From a response standpoint the building will meet FEMA standards, which means it will be better protected if a big storm came through as well as the firefighters," Setian said. "It will be bigger and equipped with the latest technology making it more efficient for day-to-day operations and response."

He said with the design, they will also have the ability to expand at some point.

The new station will be 24,849 square feet, span one half of a city block, and three stories tall with the exception of the training tower which is designed to be four stories.

The drill tower or training tower is a new addition to the Russellville Fire Department, Setian said.

"The tower will give the firefighters the ability to train with fire protection," he said. "It will offer a stairwell (for practice climbing), repelling and a standpipe sprinkler system."

Another addition for the fire department will be a wellness and fitness room.

The first floor will include all necessary apparatuses for the fire department.

The new tax levy is projected to generate about $1.7 million over its five-year duration, and city officials plan to use those funds to purchase two fire trucks. Of these, they're placing the first priority on a replacement for the public safety department's 32-year-old, 100-foot ladder truck -- which has had a sketchy reliability history in recent years based on electrical and hydraulic issues, and for which a comparable new replacement is expected to cost $1 million or more.

Before deciding which truck to purchase, Straebel said public safety staff have some due diligence steps to complete. For example, they're looking into what specifications should be sought in a replacement aerial truck, and also keeping their eyes open for used trucks which could offer a cost savings. But with few previously owned aerial units on the market that don't show significant wear or age, Straebel said it's unclear whether that would be an option.

If the city decides to order a new aerial unit, Straebel said it likely would take a year or so for a manufacturer to build and deliver. All in all, he said city officials hope to have a replacement ladder truck in service sometime in 2017 or early 2018.

To expedite the replacement process, Straebel said the city potentially could pool early proceeds from the new tax levy with a short-term loan from the city's electric utility fund, which would be repaid once additional tax dollars flow in.

Once the purchase of a new aerial unit is firmed up, city officials would then look toward replacing one of their pumper trucks. Like the aerial, the pumper targeted for replacement is also 32 years old, and can be challenging to maintain because of limited replacement parts availability. It also has been showing signs of corrosion.

The driver of a pickup truck was pinned in his vehicle when first responders arrived on scene. The driver of the ambulance, Jongekryg, also was trapped inside the vehicle and needed rescue.

Hoffman, who was in the back of the ambulance, was severely injured. Authorities say he was not wearing a seatbelt.