Benton, AR opened a new fire station to help better serve the community, THV11.com reported.

A fire official said that the area by the Saline County Career Technical Campus has grown, and the new fire station will help reduce response times. 

The $1.8 million facility and its new engine truck were paid for completely in cash, the report said. The city will host a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. Friday, September 9. 

Rebuilding Rochester Fire Department’s historic clock and bell tower will continue, KTTC.com reported Wednesday.

The Seth Thomas bell tower clock was located at the Central Fire Station dating back to 1898. The clock and its 1,200-pound bell were used to notify firefighters, the report said.

The new tower will be located at Fire Station 1 off South Broadway Avenue, one block away from the original location. It will be 50-feet tall and feature clock faces that are six-feet tall, the report said.

A Rochester fire official said companies have volunteered their time to get construction started. When it comes to monetary needs, the fire official said they are close to 30 percent of their goal, but said an exact dollar amount is difficult to gauge.

The fire official said they are in the process of creating a new website, and that those interested in donating can visit the current website in the meantime.

He said White’s Smoke, Fire and Water Damage Restoration has had an ongoing fundraiser for the clock tower for the last few years. People are encouraged to bring in their scrap metal, and White’s will donate the money it receives selling the metal, to the restoring the tower, the report said.

One of the clock faces is on display at the RFD museum at Station 2 off of Viola Road, the report said.

According to a report from KHQ, Spokane County (WA) Fire (SCF) said that firefighting equipment and personal gear was stolen off of a Department of Natural Resources wildland fire truck while crews were cleaning up the Palisades Fire north of Government Way, which erupted last Friday.

Over the past weekend, the Palisades Fire burned approximately 43 acres. Officials recently dropped the orders for evacuations, but area residents were asked to leave their homes during the duration. 

SCF said the area was placed on patrol status though Wednesday as things calm down. 

Fire crews are asking anyone with information regarding the theft to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

Work will soon start on the new $10.7 million fire station in northern Davenport, IA, WVIK.org reported. On Wednesday, Aug. 31, city leaders held a groundbreaking at Brady and 42nd streets, near Northpark Mall.

A fire official said the new Station 3 will replace a 60-year-old station at the corner of 35th Street and Harrison.

Much of the growth in Davenport during recent decades has been to the north, the report said, which has resulted in increased call volume in the region. The newly-located Fire Station Number 3 allows for resources to accommodate for the growth of commercial, industrial and residential needs in the area, the report said.

The new station will have more room for training and department operations, living quarters designed for today’s co-ed workforce, and a community room, the report said.

Site work the new fire station is expected to start next week, with completion in the fall of next year.