Kathy Hedberg

Lewiston Tribune, Idaho

(MCT)

Aug. 23—The new $200,000 Elk River fire station was christened during a grand opening celebration Saturday and stands as a testament to community support, Mayor Dave Brown said.

“We built our fire station with four bays that hold all our equipment and we did it all with local money,” Brown said Monday.

“We had nine years of fire department charity options and other fundraisers and we had a grant of $48,000. But that was the only outside money, and we’re pretty proud of that.”

The 14-person volunteer fire department, headed by Chief Wayne Wilson, formerly was housed in a two-bay block structure that also held the Clearwater County Ambulance and Rescue equipment. Brown said about three years ago the old building was sold to Clearwater County for $53,000 for the ambulance and rescue team, which helped the fire department start construction on the new pole building.

Besides the professional electricians and contractors who worked on the new building, the Elk River community pitched it with all sorts of donated labor and equipment.

“People came in and built cabinets for free,” Brown said. “I think everybody in that room (during the grand opening) pitched in and that’s what we’re all proud of.”

The fire department consists of one engine, one brush truck and one water truck to serve Elk River and the immediate area.

During the grand opening, cake and punch were served and “there was a list a mile long” of people deserving thanks, the mayor said.

“It was excellent. It was a great day for it,” Brown said. “The weather was nice, now we’re ready to go. It’s been quite a journey.”

Hedberg may be contacted at khedberg@lmtribune.com.

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Rosenbauer—Edwardsville (IL) Fire Department pumper. Commander 7011 cab and chassis; Cummins L9 380-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon water tank; Command Light KL409D-H4 light tower; SmartPower 8-kW generator; Rosenbauer EXT aluminum body; Rosenbauer clean air recirculation air scrubber; low hosebed. Dealer: Steve Williams, Sentinel Emergency Solutions, St. Louis, MO.

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The Seneca (KS) Volunteer Fire Department have planned a day-long celebration to mark the 100th birthday of its prized 1922 Model K Baby Stutz fire engine, according to a report published by Hiawatha World Online.

According to the report, The Baby Stutz is one of only two known left in existence and was bought new by the City of Seneca and been owned by the city ever since. The apparatus was restored in 1976 for the nation’s bicentennial celebration, but is in need of a refreshing with repairs to the fuel tank, new tires, paint and some gaskets for the engines.

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According to the report the event begins with a fire truck show starting a 9 am, a parade at 5 pm, a pipe and drum concert at 6 pm with a by-donation dinner and capped off with a classis rock concert from 7 to 11.

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Rutland selectboard members voice some questions about whether the apparatus had been completed to the department’s satisfaction as the town was about to make a final payment on the vehicle, according to the report, which added the board didn’t want to lose any leverage it might have if the truck was not 100 percent satisfactory.

The board said they had no specific reasons to ask the questions other than shortly after the Center Rutland Fire Station had been built and final payments were made, issues were discovered that had to be resolved in court, according to the report.

The fire chief told the board the $675,000 apparatus, built by Rosenbauer has been put through its paces and he and the firefighters were satisfied with the rig, according to the report, which added it is designed to fill many needs of the department over the next 30 years.

Additionally, the department bought extra warranties and guarantees to protect the investment, according to the report.