Hillsborough County, Fla. (Jan. 13, 2022) – The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on Wednesday approved funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to be used to replace three Hillsborough County Fire Stations that have reached the end of their practical operational life.

The Hillsborough County American Rescue Plan Investment Plan provides a framework for investing $285 million in federal Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in the community. Wednesday’s BOCC action directs $18 million from ARPA to help replace these stations.

The three stations slated for replacement using the ARPA funding include:

• Station 10 in Armdale — $5.8 million
• Station 13 on Gunn Highway — $6 million
• Station 15 in Palm River — $6.2 million

The three stations are at or near 50 years old. These stations are beyond their functional life expectancy, are dated in their design/features, and require increasing operational costs to maintain and operate at the expected service level necessary to protect residents in their communities.

Their replacements will expand their capacities with more bays that can accommodate more apparatus, and they will feature contemporary design and technology.

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By funding and programming the replacement of these stations, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) will be able to house its first responders in stations with advanced design features like decontamination suites. The suites allow first responders to remove protective gear, which often contains carcinogenic and other harmful particulate matter, and decontaminate before entering the station. Design and technology advancements create a clean living and working environment for first responders during their respective 24-hour shift in the station.

Additionally, by increasing the size an

“The Directors, Fire Chief, and members of the Florissant Valley (MO) Fire Protection District are proud to announce that the newest addition to our fleet, 4024, is now in service. The 2021 Pierce Pumper will be stationed out of our Firehouse 2 located on Pohlman.

“This truck replaces the current Fire Engine from Firehouse 2, that Fire Engine will move to reserve status and we will be retiring from our fleet a Fire Engine that is 17 years old.

“We want to thank the residents for all of your support in allowing us to provide top of the line equipment and apparatus.

“#FVFPD #WeTakeCareofPeople”

When we traveled to Wisconsin to check on our new truck last month, we took it on a test drive to Green Bay.

Of course we had to make a stop at the iconic @LambeauField! 🏈 We think the new 4024 looks pretty sharp, don’t you?? #fvfpd #wetakecareofpeople pic.twitter.com/2igQJJzbM0

— Florissant Valley Fire Protection District (@FvfpdFire) December 1, 2021

In late December, Citizens’ (PA) Fire Company No.1 took delivery of 2051, its new KME-built custom rescue pumper.

Crews have been training on it recently.

The truck, which has been out on quick medical response calls, cost $750,000 and replaces a 1994 KME rescue and a 1989 pumper, which were both sold to nearby fire companies. Proceeds went toward the new apparatus, according to a report in tnonline.com.

It carries 750 gallons of water and a full set of response and rescue tools.

Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc. (WPSG), parent company of TheFireStore and the nation’s leading multi-channel distributor of public-safety equipment, supplies, training, and service, is excited to announce their recent acquisition of ElizaCo, Inc. of Hamburg, NY. With this acquisition Witmer Public Safety Group continues to fulfill their motto of Equipping Heroes – by expanding their footprint into New York state.

James Witmer, CEO of Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc., commented, “This most recent acquisition will expand our capacity to serve Fire, Law Enforcement and EMS customers in Western New York State.”

Witmer continued, “I am proud to add this strong and respected regional business to our family of companies. Similarly, I am pleased to welcome ElizaCo’s sales team to the Witmer Public Safety Group family. I’m excited to bring more product options and brands to this experienced group, expanding their ability to serve their customers successfully.”

Elizabeth Shoemaker, owner of ElizaCo, announced her retirement following the acquisition.  Shoemaker said, “Becoming a part of Witmer Public Safety Group will greatly expand our sales teams’ ability to meet and exceed the needs of current customers as well as attract new customers.”

About Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc.
Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc. has proudly served the Fire, Law Enforcement, and EMS markets since 1996. Known internationally for their vast product assortment and best-of-class ecommerce websites, Witmer Public Safety Group is excited to expand their sales presence to New York.

For additional information, please call (610) 857-8070 or visit our corporate site at WPSGInc.com.

About ElizaCo, Inc.
Since 2002, ElizaCo has proudly served the fire service in Western New York by providing the finest in firefighting equipment, firefighter’s protective clothing and equipment from top-quality manufacturers.