Members of the Sea Girt Fire Company No. 1 planned to celebrate the arrival of their brand-new engine during a wet-down ceremony on Saturday, October 1 from 1-5 p.m. at Baltimore Park, StarNewsGroup.com reported. Those plans have been postponed due to the weather forecast.

Here’s what Sea Girt Fire Company No. 1 President, Joe Accurso, wrote on the company’s Facebook page:

“Unfortunately the weather is not cooperating with us for this weekend and we are going to postpone the wetdown of 44-75. At this point we are looking at the spring of 2023. This decision was based on an abundance of caution by the truck committee.

I would like to thank all of you for your continued support to Sea Girt Fire Company No. 1.”

The new apparatus will be designated as Engine 4475 and was custom built by Ferrara Fire Apparatus located in Holden (LA), the report said.

The new engine was designed as a “fast attack” engine with four pre-connect hand lines, a 1,000-gallon tank on board and 2,000 gallons-per-minute of pumping capabilities, according to the report. 

It was first put into service by the department this summer, the report said.

Other features include seating of up to eight firefighters and that the fire truck will have all the latest safety equipment including a seat belt warning system, cameras that cover 360 degrees for driver and firefighter safety, as well as LED scene lighting, the report said. 

The Madison County Fiscal Court read multiple proclamations for October and passed motions involving the purchase of a new fire truck during a fiscal court meeting on Tuesday, RichmondRegister.com reported.

The fiscal court approved a bid of $534,722 to Atlantic Fire Emergency Solutions. CSEPP will contribute a minimum of $300,000 for the purchase of the truck through a federal grant program, the report said.

The remaining portion of the price will be paid by the county upon the delivery of the truck, which is estimated to be in 24 months. It will hold a capacity of 4,500 gallons of water, according to the report.

According to a fiscal court official, the truck will be able to go anywhere in the county. It has a tandem axle, with six breaking tires and three axles — a feature noted will be very important for safety, the report said.

The Middleport Village Council had a full agenda to discuss during its September 26 meeting, with fire truck replacement and possible Christmas bonuses for employees among the key items, WVNews.com reported.

A fire official appeared before council to discuss the fire truck wreck and proposed plans for future fire department replacement trucks. The official felt it would be best to buy a used vehicle for now and try to work out a financial plan to purchase two new vehicles. He said it was not clear yet what amount the village would receive from the insurance company, but the purchase price of the wrecked vehicle was $323,000 with a new truck to replace it costing about $670,000, the report said.

The council unanimously authorized the fire official to spend up to $45,000 for a used vehicle after the insurance settlement was received. Council also authorized the fire official to initiate a lease/purchase agreement on the first new truck that had been ordered previously in order to get the present interest rates, according to the report.

Plans for financing of a second new truck were tabled until more information can be obtained on the insurance settlement and the amount of funds being received from our present levies, the report said.

Construction will start on a second fire station in October for south Twin Falls, NewsRadio1310.com reported.

The city of Twin Falls announced it is planning a groundbreaking for Twin Falls City Fire Station No. 3 in mid-October near the Swensons Market on Orchard Drive and Washington Street South, the report said.

Station No. 3 will be the second station to be built in Twin Falls as construction is underway on Station No. 2 on North College Drive.

Work on the station began earlier this year and is expected to be operational by spring of 2023. The facility will replace the current Station No. 2 that sits on the southeast side of the College of Southern Idaho on Falls Avenue.

The groundbreaking for Station No. 3 is set for 3:30 p.m. October 17. The public is invited to attend.