. The truck was obtained through a FEMA grant that Captain Jeff Dias and Captain Howard Anderson spent well over six months working on.
“People never see the hours of work we put into accomplishing something like this,” Onset Fire Chief Ray Goodwin said. “We’re extremely proud of Captains Dias and Anderson for their commitment to this town.”
The grant, which comes through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, gave $285,000 to the department for the purchase of the new vehicle. The department was only required to match 5 percent of those funds in return.
According to FEMA Fire Program Specialist David Parr, the grant process is extremely competitive with more than 10,000 applicants per year and only 2,000 grants awarded.
“Grants like these really make a difference in small communities” Parr said. “And as a former firefighter, I know how important this is for Onset.”
The new tanker replaces a 1983 military surplus tank truck which was obtained through the through the Federal Excess Property Program at no cost in 2001.