Semmes Approves Fire Station, Truck At More Than $5.5 Million

The Semmes City Council has approved a bid to begin work on a third fire station and buy a ladder truck, Call News reports. A base bid of $4.215 million to Gaillard Builders was approved for the construction of fire station No. 3 on Schillinger Road at Morris Hill Road. It will replace the station at 8855 Morris Hill Road. The council approved buying the $1.33-million ladder truck for the fire department with funding through Aerial Leasing issued by PNC Bank. Mayor Brandon Van Hook said the city has enough of a surplus (from departments managing tighter budgets) to pay for the station in cash. It will also serve as an administrative office for Fire Chief Kevin Brooks, the deputy chief and the clerk. No completion date for the station has been announced, but the fire truck should arrive within a year.