CENTRE CO., Pa. (WJAC) — New vehicles at a Howard Fire Company are helping them respond quicker, according to its officials. Saturday afternoon they dedicated two new engine rescue trucks.
Company President Bill Nearhoof tells 6 News these new vehicles require less crew members to get them up and running. That's due in part to these two engines replacing what were previously three pieces of apparatus. As fire departments nationwide face a volunteer shortage, Howard fire officials say this improvement makes a difference.
Howard Fire Company covers about 150 square miles, so every second counts when responding to emergencies of all sorts.
On top of that, Nearhoof says these new vehicles can perform double-duty.
"If you had a vehicle accident, you would want to take an engine to provide fire suppression if need be. And you'd also have a rescue truck to go along and do any kind of extrication," he explains to us. "These vehicles are equipped with both. So, they have the engine panel that provides water and they also have extrication tools."
"So, one piece of apparatus can do two jobs," Nearhoof adds. "So, you only need one crew to get that truck out the door."
Representatives from Marion Township, Howard Borough, Howard Township, and Curtin Township received plaques for contributing some of their American Rescue Plan Act funds to make this happen. If you're interested in volunteering in firefighting and non-firefighting roles at Howard Fire Company, click here to see how you can help.
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