And two on the beach -- near Sunrise Boulevard and Oakland Park Boulevard -- were planned to replace aging, decaying stations and their cramped quarters.

The demand for fire-rescue services has never been greater. Service calls increased 12 percent last year and topped 50,000 for the first time ever. Fire Chief Robert Hoecherl expects the number to pass 60,000 this year and to continue rising based on the city's growing population.

The volume of calls is starting to impact response times, Deputy Chief Tim Heiser said, and the department is requesting 17 new positions and more vehicles in the upcoming budget.

Thornie Jarrett, chairman of the advisory committee charged with overseeing the 2004 program, said the unbuilt stations are needed "to give the fire personnel the equipment they need to do their job."

A firehouse in Birch State Park was built for two fire-rescue vehicles and houses four. The station near Oakland Park Boulevard has already been demolished and crews have been working from a temporary station for more than a year.

Mayor Jack Seiler said the delays have been beyond the city's control, because of agreements it has needed with other parties: a land-swap with the state at Birch State Park, a land-swap with Bokamper's Sports Bar & Grill for the Oakland Park Boulevard area station and an agreement with All Aboard Florida for the downtown site.

Even if all those obstacles were overcome, the city may not be able to do all three stations because of skyrocketing costs. The city has about $12 million left from the $40 million bond referendum in 2004, but officials now put the cost of the remaining three stations closer to $20 million.

The museum features a history of firefighting timeline exhibit that was funded, in part, through a grant from Massachusetts Cultural Council. Visitors can learn about the Adopt-a-Hydrant program, see a working fire truck from the Haverhill Fire Department and meet firefighters on duty. They can also meet Sparky the fire safety dog. Mascot Dottie the Dalmatian will pose for photos.

Kids can play in the improved children’s corner featuring a 12-foot wooden fire truck and a hose to pull and connect to the truck, along with dress-up fire gear and toys.

She was an Argo Frontier EFI 650, an eight-wheeled amphibious utility terrain vehicle that was bought by the municipality through donations raised by Milford Bay and Beaumaris residents, according to deputy fire chief Harry Baranik.

“They have in the past been very generous with this donation. They came in and donated money for this vehicle,” he said, adding residents asked that the 2016 Argo be named Miss Beaumaris in honour of the donation. “The original plan was for them to assist with the purchase of pumper truck, and those are half-million dollar vehicles. This (Argo) is a very practical and timely thing to have and we believe it is going to able to go all seasons.”

He said the unit, along with litter board, a portable water pump and one full set of belted tracks, cost between $35,000 to $40,000, all paid for by the Milford Bay and Beaumaris residents.

Robert McLeish, who was on hand during Thursday’s ceremony to represent the residents, said the community is pleased with the work of the Milford Bay department, especially after a forester fire back in 2012.

“If it wasn't for the Milford Bay Fire Department, we probably wouldn't have just lost Milford Bay, we probably would have lost a lot of Beaumaris, he said. “As part of the community up here, we felt it was quite appropriate to raise some money to make sure the Milford Bay fire department is extremely well equipped.”

Baranik said the vehicle was purchased in December and since then, members of the fire department have been involved in training to operate the vehicle. The training concluded on the day of the Argo’s official presentation.