Ferrara—Travis County ESD2/Pflugerville (TX) Fire Department MVP heavy rescue pumper. Inferno cab and chassis; Cummins X12 455-hp engine; Waterous CSU 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 2,000-gallon water tank; 30-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 2002 single-agent foam system and Platinum 200 CFM CAFS. Dealer: Keith Gould, Lone Star Emergency Group, Houston, TX.

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Voters at a special town meeting on March 8 will be asked if the Mount Desert (ME) should borrow $949,590 to renovate the Somesville fire station, reports mdislander.com.

Two general contractors bid on the project, which aims to provide living quarters and workspace for fire and EMS personnel, with King Construction Services of Machias submitting the low bid at $783,500, the report says.

In addition to construction, there will be costs totaling an estimated $166,000, which includes a 15% construction contingency plus furniture and appliances, computer workstations, and a well-drilling.

If approved, work could begin soon after the March 8 meeting, with completion expected in September or October, the report says.

Officials say the town could use a portion of its undesignated funds to pay for the station project, but it would be better served to help offset an anticipated tax increase. The recommendation was that the town borrow the money for the Somesville project and take advantage of the bond market, the report says.

Manteca (CA) City Council is being asked to authorize Tuesday the purchase of a new $1.7 million Pierce tractor-drawn aerial.

The tiller truck, from Golden State Fire Apparatus, costs $1,707,772.01, and if council fails to lock in the price, it will continue to rise.

The apparatus could take upwards of 18 months to deliver.

The department’s current aerial is a 2008 purchased for about $1 million, and it’s often in the shop for repairs.

The Montebello (CA) Fire Department is donating two engines to the Bomberos Tlajomulco De Zuniga, Jalisco (Mexico), reports bclosangeles.com.

Officials say they were honored and happy to help, and that the apparatus will be used for emergency calls and training for the Bomberos.

Department officials say the act of kindness is not random; in fact, it’s part of a tradition. The department as been donating equipment, apparatus, and supplies to fire departments in Mexico for more than 50 years.

It’s a tradition those same officials hope to continue.