Construction kicks off next week on Cascade Township’s new $10.9 million Fire Station No. 1, MLive.com reported.

Township officials say demolition will begin next week on the current, cramped Fire Station No. 1 at 2865 Thornhills Avenue SE to make way for its replacement, which will be built on the same site and feature a station with nearly triple the square footage.

Construction on the new station is expected to be finished in fall 2023.

The demolition of the existing station leaves Cascade firefighters with only one working station in the township. To remedy that, firefighters will be working out of a temporary space at Gerald R. Ford International Airport and will be staging at various locations around the township during peak times to maintain proper coverage, the report said.

According to the township, the new station will feature:

• “Four pull-through, double-deep apparatus bays for improved vehicle storage and operability when responding to emergencies.
• A hose tower with new training features for high-rise operations, repelling, window bailouts, confined space searches and ladder operations, among others.
• State-of-the-art emergency dispatching system designed to reduce response times and increase firefighter safety.
• A carcinogen exhaust capture system and decontamination areas for proper sanitation after exposure to harmful contaminants.
• Mechanical zones designed to create a buffer between living space and carcinogens brought in on clothing and gear after fighting fires.
• Private sleeping and changing quarters with gender separation.
• Space for staff and community training and events.
• Increased greenspace and landscaping.
• A new stormwater system that will comply with the township’s new ordinance.”

The Hindman Volunteer Fire Department lost one of its fire engines in the late July floods. Chief Preston Hays told WYMT.com recently that the truck has a long history with the department.

The fire department hopes when the engine is restored it will be turned into a positive moving-monument for the community. The desire is to get funding to bear a plaque with all of the victims from Knott County or the flood all together, put it on the truck, and take it to parades, the report said.

The T-shirts are selling for $25 and have an image of the truck on the front with the words, “this does KNOTT define us”.

If you would like to buy the shirt or make a donation, you can PayPal- hindmanvol328@gmail.com or send money to the station at P.O. Box 299 Hindman, KY 41822.

In addition the unique paint job, the West Orange Fire Department’s truck has an improved pump, a water tank that can hold 1,000 gallons of water and can help transport five firefighters to a scene, 12newsnow.com reported.

The Roanoke Rapids Fire Department has been awarded a $476,000 Assistance to Firefighters grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a city official informed the council Tuesday night, RRSpin.com reported.

Earlier this year the city council approved part of its American Rescue Plan funds to purchase a fire engine for the department which, along with the FEMA grant, will bring the city two fire engines, the report said.

With the FEMA grant the city’s local match will be just over $130,000 but details will be determined as the city and fire department move forward with the process, according to the report.

The truck which has been ordered through ARPA funds is a 2024 E-One Typhoon pumper and will replace engine 141. The truck the department will get through the FEMA grant will be similar.