The plan to add a new single-chassis fire truck moved forward Monday when the Solvang City Council decided to draw up plans to slightly modify its existing fire station to accommodate the size of the new vehicle.

The building modification will extend the fire station by about 10 feet to the rear and add approximately 240-square-feet to the building's size. The architectural design work is estimated to cost $34,000, with the construction estimated at $65,000. It is not yet known how much demolition will cost, which the city will also pay for.

The largest cost of the project is the $1.6 million fire truck, which will be paid for by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

"There's an agreement between the County of Santa Barbara and its fire department and the tribe to purchase a new ladder truck as mitigation for the casino expansion project for an amount not to exceed $1.6 million," said Sam Cohen, government and legal specialist for the tribe.

While the county's Fire Station No. 32, in Santa Ynez, is typically the tribe's first responder, the county's fire chief thought the new fire truck would be better placed in the neighboring Fire Station 30 in Solvang, Cohen said.

 

Bad guys, beware. Woody Williams is not playing around when it comes to his neighborhood fire station. He will be there to protect the men and women who work there.

A photo of Williams in his plaid jacket and pajama pants has gone viral after he went out to his local fire station to keep an eye on the place while firefighters were out on a call.

This comes after firefighters from multiple agencies across the Carolinas have had their personal vehicles hit by burglars while they were out on fire calls.

"Since they had all the bad press about the burglar breaking into the firefighters' cars in other areas, I said 'Well, as an old veteran, I can come over here and keep an eye on this place'," Williams told WBTV Monday. "When I hear them go out, I just say 'Well, I'll come over here and keep an eye on things'."

Several members of the community along with city officials were in attendance at Guyandotte Station No. 5 for the dedication ceremony of the pumper truck that will primarily serve Guyandotte, Altizer, the east end of Highlawn and businesses along U.S. 60.

Huntington Fire Chief Carl Eastham said the truck's arrival has been a long time coming.

"This truck will make it easier for (firefighters) to get to and from where they need to be much faster," Eastham said.

He said the new truck is more user-friendly and includes a ladder rack and more storage space. It is also lower to the ground, making it easier for firefighters to get on and off, and it has stainless steel plumbing, which will help prevent leaks and rust.

Eastham said the new truck will start going out on calls in the coming weeks. The only thing stalling its immediate use is the delivery and installation of a two-way radio.