Harrisville Volunteer Fire Company introduces new tanker truck
HARRISVILLE — On Saturday, Aug. 23, members of the Harrisville Volunteer Fire Company gathered to unveil a recently purchased, new pumper tanker.
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, and state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, were also in attendance.
David Evans, a volunteer firefighter, said the tanker can carry up to 2,700 gallons of water, significantly more than the 1,000 gallons the company’s fire engine can hold.
This purchase is particularly of note, Evans said, because the borough does not have public water, so all the water volunteers use in fire emergencies has to be brought in by truck.
“It’s a vital piece of equipment,” Evans said. “It’s very beneficial to us in the community.”
The tanker replaced a 1993 Chevrolet Kodiak, which Evans said had aged. This tanker, being much larger, also weighs more. Evans said they went from around a 30,000 pounds truck to 64,000 pounds with this tanker.
“It’s more like driving a big rig versus driving just the regular fire engine,” Evans said.
Evans, also a member of borough council, was one of the grant writers for a community action grant which contributed $375,000 toward the approximately $560,000 fire truck purchase. Kelly played a major role in helping to acquire the federal grant funds, according to Evans.
The tanker adds to the company’s roster of vehicles, including a fire engine, a rescue truck with hydraulic rescue tools, a brush truck and a utility task vehicle to help with brush fires and search and rescue cases. The UTV was recently purchased with other grant money.
“Working hard to get these grants is super important to small fire departments,” Evans said. “If we didn’t get these grants, we wouldn’t be able to have something like this.”
Evans said to get the truck, it took about 15 years of raising funds. The new tanker, which is even more expensive, was an outcome of many letters written on behalf of the fire company from business owners, public officials and borough council members.
“We want to make sure we thank the people who supported us through this,” Evans said.
In his speech commemorating the tanker, Evans said, “This tanker represents more than just a piece of equipment. It represents teamwork, our commitment and a strong community partnership.”
“Politicians get to stand up in front of you and tell you about the money they brought here. This is taxpayer money,” Kelly said. “It doesn’t belong to any politician. It doesn’t belong to any government. You’re the ones that fund all these things.”
“This is community,” Hutchinson said. “This is neighbors looking out for neighbors, volunteering their time to keep people safe.”
