Bullhead City’s fire department has come up with a new way to raise money, advertising on its vehicles. The ads could raise an estimated $85,000 a year for the fire district.

That would be pay for a fire prevention educator, the kind who come to schools to teach about fire safety. Fire Marshal Jim Dykens said the department used to have two such educators, but the positions were lost due to budget cuts. Dykens said he knows that not everyone will like the idea of the advertising but sees its benefits.

“It will be tactful. It will be appropriate,” Dykens insisted. “And the purpose for it is to increase and improve on our public education programs that hopefully are going to the help save our children’s lives in our community. Regardless of the old dog in me, I think it’s a win-win situation for us and the community."

But first, a five-member fire board has to OK the idea and each ad. Dykens said if that goes smoothly, ads could start showing up on fire trucks and ambulances in a matter of months. So far, 12 businesses have expressed interest.

Updated 2/3/2014 at 5:54 p.m.