Twinsburg (OH) will spend $1.72 million on a new Pierce Velocity 107-foot ladder tandem T3 fire truck after the city council approved the purchase October 25, BeaconJournal.com reported.

The truck will be bought from Atlantic Emergency Solutions Inc. of Virginia and will replace a 2000 Ferrara 109-foot ladder truck, the report said.

Council passed the fire truck purchase legislation on emergency so paperwork can be completed and the deal finalized before November 1, when the truck’s cost will rise by more than $93,000, according to the report.

Delivery of the truck is not expected until late 2025.

The Middlefield Volunteer Fire Company was awarded $225,450 recently to replace its 1973 brush truck.

Middlefield was one of only 89 fire departments nationwide that was awarded funds for vehicle acquisition, out of a total 18,000 applicants for the 2021 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG).

The grant assists fire departments nationwide in numerous operational aspects.

The fire company committee is actively working on specifications for this vehicle with hopes of delivery next year to provide the volunteer organization with a safe apparatus that has increased capabilities.

Hindman firefighters, elected officials and community members gathered at Wells Mountain Road Monday for the groundbreaking ceremony of Hindman Volunteer Fire Department Station 2.

The announcement comes three months following historic flooding that damaged the Hindman Volunteer Fire Department.

The station will serve residents and businesses of KY Hwy 80. With the construction of the second station, people living five miles of the station and within 500 feet of a fire hydrant will be able to receive the lowest ISO rating that the department has, saving homeowners valuable funds on insurance rates.

The station will be built in two phases. The first phase will focus on apparatus bays so trucks can be placed into service as quickly as possible. The second phase will include offices, additional storage, and a training room.

Building a second fire station to provide better coverage has been a long term goal of the department.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office announce that applications will be accepted starting Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, from volunteer fire departments for $5 million in grants through the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program.

Created by legislation approved by Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly in 2019, the program earmarks monies for the purchase of firefighting equipment by Tennessee volunteer fire departments or to help volunteer departments meet local match requirements for federal grants for purchasing equipment. Grant proceeds may be used to purchase equipment (other than fire trucks or vehicles) used by firefighters to extinguish fires and protect the lives of firefighters. The grants may also be used to help fire departments pay or reimburse the cost share for federal grants that have already been awarded.

Since the program’s launch in 2020, grants totaling $1.5 million have been provided to over 100 Tennessee fire departments. The allocation of $5 million represents the largest amount yet for this program.

“As we have seen in our outreach visits across all 95 Tennessee counties during the past three years, the men and women of the Tennessee fire service have no lack of bravery or courage, but in some cases, they have a pressing need to replace outdated firefighting equipment,” said Tennessee State Fire Marshal and TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “This program will help provide resources to Tennessee’s volunteer firefighters while fulfilling Governor Lee’s vision of strengthening Tennessee’s rural communities.”

Said TDCI Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention Gary Farley: “Volunteer fire departments embody the Volunteer State at its best. These men and women willingly put their lives on the line for their communities for little or no compensation or recognition. It is incumbent on our team to provide these firefighters with a way to acquire reliable and effective firefighting equipment to protect themselves as they protect their communities.”

Eligible fire departments must hold a valid recognition from the SFMO and have a staff comprised by less than 51% full-time career firefighters.

Applications received during the submission period will be scored internally and submitted to a seven-member committee who will oversee the award selection. The committee is composed of three representatives from the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association, three representatives from the Tennessee Firemen’s Association, and TDCI’s Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention. Per statute, the funds will be awarded equally among Tennessee’s Grand Divisions.

Applications will be accepted until Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. CT.

Applicants with questions about the grant should contact Director of Education and Outreach Michelle Price by email at michelle.price@tn.gov or by calling (629) 259-1713.