The City of Jeannette Fire Department recently announced that it was awarded an ARPA grant, which will be used to build a new station. Officials say they’ve been working toward the project for a few years.

A report on triblive.com says the grant is worth $1.2 million.

The current facility has housed the department since 1927; officials say its too cramped and has health concerns. The department was established by ordinance in 1915.

“We are very excited to announce that we will be building a new fire station in the near future!” the department writes on Facebook. “We have been awarded an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant that will be used to construct a new fire station. We have been working on this project for a few years now to improve efficiency of emergency response for our residents and businesses and to improve health and safety conditions for our firefighters that live in the station 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

Related: Restored Jeannette (PA) Fire Apparatus Back Home

“The professional fire department was established by ordinance in 1915 and operated out of the then borough hall at 5th and Magee before we moved into our current station in 1927. Not only have we outgrown the apparatus garage and living space but there are increasing health concerns and cancer risks for our firefighters due to apparatus exhaust and asbestos in the living spaces. The new station will not only be capable of housing all of our apparatus in one central location but will also be asbestos free and have proper separation and exhaust systems between the apparatus bay and the office/living areas of the station. The new station will also allow for both male and female facilities and increased capacity in the bunk rooms. We look forward to growing with the city and being able to continue to provide Jeannette with professional and efficient fire protection for as we have for the last 107 years!

“We would like to express a special thanks to Senator Kim Ward for working with us for some time to find a funding source for this project, as she knows the importance of this project for both our firefighters, the City of Jeannette and the surrounding area and she has always been there to support Jeannette!”

Tulsa firefighters found themselves in the middle of a hostage situation Wednesday when responding to a call about a stabbing, reports kjrh.com.

The firefighters responded to the call at 2 p.m. near East 4th Place and found a man in the street and a child in a pickup truck.

When firefighters approached the boy, they used a bag of toys that they carry to comfort children in emergency situations. As the boy began to talk, he confided in the firefighters that his mother was bleeding and inside the home in the bathroom, according to the report.

When firefighters asked to enter the home, the man produced a gun and retreated inside the house. The firefighters took the boy to safety behind a fire engine as police tried to negotiate an end to the standoff.

Unfortunately, two people, including the gunman, died in the hostage situation.

The SC Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a fire truck, reports wmbfnews.com.

Troopers were called around 12:45 a.m. Monday to the wreck near Old Camden Road. Officials say the apparatus was heading south on Ruby Road while an SUV was traveling north; the latter vehicle crossed the center line and hit the fire truck.

The fire truck was responding to a fire.

The SUV’s driver, 42-year-old Christopher McManus, was killed, while the driver of the apparatus was taken to the hospital, the report says.

The department to which the fire truck belonged wasn’t made available.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Friday morning for the $9.7 million Station 34, a new Ventura County fire station in Thousand Oaks.

The facility, which will replace one built in 1961, is being built on a nearly two-acre lot located behind the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church—about a half mile away from the current facility.

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It will be more than 11,000 square feet and come with a 2,013-square-foot accessory building. Construction is expected to be completed by next summer.

Station 34 will feature two pass-through bays, two offices, a fitness room, a kitchen area, a dining area, and living quarters for seven crew members.

More information about the project can be found here.