In efforts to assess emergency situations in a timelier manner and improve overall safety, the Phoenix Fire Department has launched a new drone program.

“This new program will help save lives and assess emergency situations more quickly with a better perspective—protecting both the community and the first responders on the scene of emergencies,” a Facebook post reads.

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Nine members of the department are FAA-certified to fly the three unmanned aircraft systems in the fleet, officials say.

Inflation and supply-chain issues have affected the size and scope of the new Vernon Township Fire Department station in McCordsville, reports greenfieldreporter.com. However, officials say safety and service have not been compromised.

Vernon Township is planning the facility near the southwest corner of Mt. Comfort Road and CR 900N. FA reported in March that the original design plan called for an estimated cost of about $6.5 million.

Though in April and May, during the bid process, it came to light that the aforementioned issues would increase the total cost by about 10%-15%, the report says. On the heels of the news, some changes were made, the biggest of which being exterior changes—switching from red brick to brown and reducing from a three-vehicle bay to a two-.

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The project now has a guaranteed maximum price of $6.8 million, according to the report.

Fortville Town Council approved the modifications Monday, and McCordsville Town Council is slated to review them next month, the report says.

Construction was expected to begin in June and take eight months, and the belief was that it will be operational at some point in 2023, FA reported at the time.

The Vernon Township Fire Department was formed in 2019, and the Vernon Township Fire Territory was formed the following year as a cooperative effort of Vernon Township, the town of McCordsville, and the town of Fortville.

A 21-year-old college student was killed Wednesday morning after a fire engine hit the motorcycle she was riding at an intersection in Hat Yai, reports bangkokpost.com.

The accident occurred around 9 a.m. near the Public Relations Office Region 6 on Nipat Songkroh Road, police officials say.

First responders were called and found Cholthicha Singprom, a second-year student at a university in Muang district, dead on the road. She had been run over and her head was crushed by a Hat Yai Municipality fire truck, according to the report.

The 44-year-old engine driver, Supachai Srikhlam, waited for police to arrive. He says he was on his way to the Jiranakhon Sport Stadium for a fire drill.

Police officials say he will be charged.

The Marlboro Volunteer Fire Department recently retired a 54-year-old fire truck and showed off its replacement.

“The Life and Replacement of a Diamond Icon, 1968 – 2022

“1968 was a turbulent and outstanding year for the world, the USA, and for Vermont,” a Facebook post reads.

“Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. were assassinated, and protests against the Vietnam War were rising across the USA and Europe. The Beatles ‘White Album’ was released, the first successful heart transplant was accomplished, and Phil Hoff was the first Democratic Governor of Vermont since 1853. Vermont passed a law banning roadside billboards, and the Total Loss Farm Commune was established in Guilford.

“In Marlboro, Tom Ragle started his term as President of Marlboro College and the Marlboro Music Festival ended their concert season with Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with Rudolph Serkin on piano, Benita Valente as soprano and Pablo Casals conducting.

“On April 2, 1968, the Fire Chief of the Marlboro Volunteer Fire Company was Bob Bartlett, (father of the current board member and past fire fighter with the MVFC, Ann Bartlett). He, and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, J.F Herrick, Jr, signed a contract on that day to purchase a brand new, 1968 Diamond Reo Pumper/Tanker fire truck for $17,189. Also on that Board were; T.A. Cunningham, D.J Dalrymple, W.P. Davidson, W.A. Eames, R.V.R Hertzberg, J Nevins, A.T Rylander, S.L. Vonderhorst, J.S Bartlett (Treasurer) and D.G MacArthur (Clerk).

“The Diamond Reo truck, known as Engine #1, has been in active service to the Town of Marlboro since those iconic times, responding to an estimated 1,600 fire events in its 54 years on the job. She has also been a frequent visitor to Marlboro Fair events and town parades. The Diamond Reo is believed to be the oldest active fire truck in the state of Vermont and is highly regarded by fire truck enthusiasts for her age, her condition, her style, and her fortitude.

“On May 12th, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Marlboro Volunteer Fire Company (Will Shakespeare-President, Michael Schneider-Treasurer, Carol Ann Johnson-Clerk, Ann Bartlett-member, Fred Muschler-member) authorized the acting Fire Chief, Andrew Richardson, to purchase a replacement truck and give the Reo a gold watch and let her enjoy her days as an antique fire truck, participating in parades and fairs and other celebrations.

“The replacement truck is a beautifully maintained 1995, 1250 gpm Sutphen pumper with a 1000 gallon onboard storage tank that was used and beautifully maintained by the Winooski, Vermont Fire Department. It has a 6-person cab fits into the MVFC firehouse with just a few inches overhead clearance to spare. It has an automatic transmission (which the Reo did not), allowing for more personnel to qualify as drivers. Included in the purchase package was 900 feet of 4” hose, 600’ of 2 ½” hose, a 24’ ladder, a 14’ ladder, and a 10’ ladder. It also has an on-board generator. The replacement truck will inherit the title of Engine # 1 but will be clearly identified in her own style as she is a beautiful sparkling yellow.

“The Marlboro Volunteer Fire Company will be presenting the Sutphen Engine #1 fire truck to the public on June 28th before and after the Marlboro Communi