Missoula County will serve as a test lab for a decontamination system intended to rid wildland firefighting equipment of invasive aquatic species, including mud snails and zebra mussels, MissoulaCurrent.com reported.

The state has taken steps in recent years to prevent such species from being transported from one body of water to another with inspection stations set at key transportation routes around the country, the report said.

But some firefighting equipment can also pose a risk and like watercraft, the valves and hoses are often transported around the state and beyond, the report said.

To prevent the transport of aquatic invasive species, Missoula County on Tuesday approved a service agreement with Clean Wake LLC. The company, based in Salt Lake City, specializes in watercraft decontamination equipment, according to the report.

Clean Wake was founded roughly four years ago to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species, primarily in Lake Mead. The agreement with the county charges the company to develop a prototype that can work on wildland fire equipment, the report said.

The Henderson Board of Commissioners heard a progress report on the plans for a new Fire Station One Tuesday, 14News.com reported.

Officials say the new building will be located at 540 Second Street, the report said.

A representative from the design firm showed a proposed site plan for the project and a conceptual drawing for a floor plan, according to the report.

At Tuesday’s meeting, officials say the commission gave support to moving from conceptual stage to a schematic design that is needed to get a cost estimate for the project, the report said.

Sycamore Volunteer Fire and Rescue is now equipped with new hydraulic extrication tools, thanks to a nearly $27,000 grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, go.tiffinohio.net reported.

With more traffic incidents than fires, this new battery-powered equipment will greatly aid the department as it works to protect citizens and those traveling through by quickly and efficiently removing trapped victims after motor vehicle accidents and structural collapses, the report said.

Many state highways run through Sycamore Fire’s jurisdiction, causing an increase in population especially during the day. Prior to this grant, the crew’s extrication equipment involved a heavy, gasoline-powered engine that took two or more people to move. It was hooked up via hoses and pumps that allowed only a 25-to-30 foot range, making it difficult to assist vehicles off the roadway, the report said.

A portion of every purchase made at U.S. Firehouse Subs restaurants is donated to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to help provide funding for lifesaving equipment grant awards, according to the report. To date, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has granted over $3.6 million to first responders in Ohio, including more than $439,000 in the Toledo area.

Faced with continuing repairs to the fire department’s 35-year-old ladder truck, New Philadelphia will spend $1.8 million for a new one, TimesReporter.com reported.

The current ladder truck is a 1987 Grumman Aerialcat, according to the report. The truck was rebuilt on a new chassis in 2008-2009 for $595,000.

The City Council suspended its rules and approved the resolution for the new fire truck on its first reading because of time concerns, the report said. New Philadelphia will be purchasing a demonstration model that will be available in five months. If the city doesn’t buy this truck, it will likely have to wait from 24 to 32 months because so many cities across the country are buying fire apparatus right now, as well as supply chain issues, according to the report.