“We retired a 1965 brush truck that we built out ourselves,” Montague Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Tommy Fenoglio said in a press release. “It didn’t have all of the updates that this new truck has. We put a lot of time and thought into getting the right equipment that would allow the department to best serve the community.”

The new fire/rescue truck was purchased in a lease to own agreement with Unruh Fire to replace an old unit.

"We will be making payments. We're using our county funds through tax money," Highsmith said.

Schamle went over each feature of the truck and explained them to the firefighters.

"This truck will do anything," Schamle said. "It's built for a lot of storage, specifically for all the items needed for the department. It's not just open for stuffing anything anywhere – there's specific slots for spine boards, and Stokes baskets and SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) packs, everything is designated for very specific items."

According to the department, that station along with others is facing problems with maintenance and even day to day operation. “It’s about time for an upgrade,” Daniels told the committee.

Volunteer and career station personnel could still work out of the building during the day, but the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Service paid for a trailer at the station. It was to house career firefighters working during overnight hours, when the bunkhouse ordinarily would be used.

The trailer cost approximately $800 a week and was put at the station Feb. 7, making the total cost for the trailer approximately $3,200 over the last month, Jewell said.

In addition to the trailer, the fire company was footing the bill for remediation services, which were estimated to cost about $7,500, in addition to the repairs and renovations already planned for the bunkhouse, Jewell said.

The 1998 E-One is being housed at the department's central station and replaces the oldest unit, a 1985 Chevrolet. Rink said a similar, new truck could cost $200,000 or more.

According to a news release, the truck was purchased with fewer than 12,000 miles and includes all LED lights, a power take-off generator, 12-foot canopies on both sides and a refrigerator.