Clear Lake (IA) Fire Department has felt the effects of inflation as the cost of a new pumper has increased by more than nine percent in just six months, according to a report published by the Globe Gazette.

The report said the department’s bid on a Class A pumper increased by from an estimated cost of about $650,000 to $710,483 with a prepayment option.

The increase was largely attributed to a stainless steel price increase of about 50 percent and increases in petroleum, according to the report.

For the prior six months, the department checked out seven apparatus manufacturers, but only got one bid on the apparatus, the report said, noting the department was disappointed that more bids were not submitted.

To make up the cost increase, the department is hoping the sale of two apparatus will offset the price, according to the report.

In February, the members of the Plum Lake (WI) Volunteer Fire Department took delivery of a brand new $660,000 pumper and now they are planning fundraising activities to help pay a loan the town took to pay for the new truck, according to a report published by WJFW 12.

According to the report, the department needs to raise about $100,000 to help pay off the loan and firefighters are planning a spaghetti on August 8 as a fundraising activity.

The new pumper has all new equipment, including new battery-powered extrication, rescue and ventilation tools, according to the report.

Firefighters also appreciate the safety found in the cab as well as the ergonomic layout and comfort, the report says.

Eddy County (NM) Fire and Rescue isn’t letting a shortage of truck chassis slow its efforts to replace a fleet of tankers, according to a report published by Carlsbad Current Argus.

According to the report, the department’s deputy chief located three Freightliner trucks to replace 20-year-old tankers that have fallen into disrepair. The order allows the department to replace the units quicker than the four years that had been anticipated given the shortage and anticipated build times, according to the report.

Eddy County Commissioners agreed to use nearly $2 million in Fire Excise Tax funds for the replacements for use in southern Eddy County. Additional new chassis were ordered and the department could have them in early 2023, the report says.

The county needs about four tankers for each engine it has in service because of the lack of hydrants in the area, according to the report, which added that the department tries not to pull too many old tankers out of service before having units to replace them.

Due to health and safety issues, the Truckee Meadows (NV) Fire Protection District has closed Fire Station 30 located at 3905 Old Highway 395 next to Bowers Mansion for an undetermined amount of time, according to a news release from the district.

Due to an infestation of bats, it has been determined that the station is a health and safety risk to fire crews.  Bats have been flying in the living quarters and dead bats have been found in the apparatus bay.  Station 30 dates to the 1950s and is leased to TMFPD from the state of Nevada.   The District will consult with experts to determine what preventative and remediation work is needed to eliminate the bat colonies and associated hazards.

The ambulance based at Station 30, along with two fire personnel will be relocated to Station 32, the other Washoe Valley Station located at 1240 Eastlake Boulevard.  A total of five firefighters to include paramedics will be housed at Station 32.

In addition to rabies, there are several other viruses that bats transmit to humans.  A human need not be bitten or scratched to contract it.  The disease can be transmitted as an aerosolized virus by way of bat saliva and their feces can transmit viral, bacterial, fungal, AND parasitic infections to humans.  The Fire District attempted to remediate the problem in 2015, only to have the bats return.  Staff will review possible options including contamination cleanup.

TMFPD will also increase its coordination with Carson City Fire Department to the south end of Washoe Valley.