Firefighters in Gearhart (OR) have turned to the public for help to figure out who hit their department SUV while it was responding to a call on Saturday morning, according to a report published by Seaside Signal.

About $4,000 damage was done when a motorist crossed lanes and hit the command vehicle on US Highway 101 and fled the scene, according to the report.

Gearhart Fire Department staff were heading to a medical call when the crash occurred, according to the report, that added the response to the initial call was not affected by the hit-and-run incident.

No injuries were reported, according to the report which also asked that anyone with information to contact the Oregon State Police, Astoria Area Command.

Morrisville (NC) started construction on another fire station today (July 27) on Harris Mill Road which is expected to cost $8.8 million and be completed next summer, according to a report published by WNCN CBS 17.

The new station, which is designed to reduce response times in the area,  will be built on 6.3 acres of land with the station taking up about 2.7 total acres, according to the report.

When completed, the new station will have two deep bays  and a third for Wake County EMS, as well as administration space and quarters for up to nine staff members, the report said.

East Peoria (IL) firefighters are actively working on getting a fourth fire station with the hopes construction could begin this fall, according to a report published by Journal Star.

According to the report a new station will be built on Centennial Drive near the entrance to Illinois Central College and has been sited there due to the number of calls for service that come from that area.

While the total cost of the project hasn’t been determined yet, the department already has $1.9 million from state sources toward the project, according to the report.

A request for qualifications has been issued by the City to solicit design plans to determine the most effective and sustainable outcome for the future of the Medford Fire Headquarters, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced in a press release from the city.

The City is seeking input on a design and feasibility phase where a design architect will provide a recommendation to the City on whether to renovate the existing building which includes the Fire Headquarters, former Police Station, and former 911 center or to demolish the existing building and replace the building with a new Fire Headquarters. The city finalized a contract with the Vertex Companies LLC, to serve as OPM, a step that is required by law, and oversee the selection process as well as the design and construction of the facility.

“Our current fire headquarters is woefully outdated and not an adequate space for a modern fire station,” Mayor Lungo-Koehn said. “Since taking office, I have been prioritizing a future facility that both meets our public safety needs and helps deliver on our goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. Now with this next big step, we are well on our way on seeing this vision for the future become a reality.”

In addition to the work being planned for the headquarters, several updates and renovations have been ongoing at the satellite fire stations throughout the City.

To date, work in progress or already completed includes:

• Request for Qualifications issued for design architect
• Hired the Vertex Companies LLC to serve as Owners Project Manager for Fire Headquarters design and construction
• Roof replacements at Engines 4, 5 & 6 with repairs to roofs at all other Fire Buildings
• Contracting professional services for structural review, and ultimately design for changes needed, of the Engine 3 Apparatus Bay Floor
• Kitchen Renovations at Engines 2 & 5
• Replacing light fixtures and Engines 2-6 with energy efficient fixtures
• Replacing electrical outlets at Engines 2-6
• Repairing or replacing overhead doors at Engines 2-6
• Installation of water re-circulator at Engine 6
• Repairing or replacing window shades
• Reviewing heating/cooling systems at Engine 5
• Reviewing and, if necessary, sealing off Firefighter poles
• Secured Community Preservation funding for design of restoration to windows at historically significant stations (Engines 3, 4, & 6)