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.

Exterior walls are in place and interior walls are framed, with work continuing daily at the site just off the main loop in the central campus.

Intended as a satellite station, the SIUE fire station will be primarily dedicated to the college campus and the warehouse distribution district in west Edwardsville near Interstate 255. The $3.8 million, 8,300-square-foot station is intended to improve response times and bolster service to the growing western side of the city. The land, located next to the Early Childhood Center, has been promised to the city since 1995.

Initially, the station will have one engine, one truck and one ambulance, with a staff of two to four people, Welle said. “We’re still building up our staffing,” he said.

One extra feature of the new fire station is a “safe haven.” The west side of the station will have a small lobby open 24 hours a day with an emergency phone, and anyone who is in trouble or needs help can get immediate help from the paramedics on staff.

“We want students or anyone else to know they can stop in and seek help if necessary,” Welle said.