The gear dryer, designed by Pvt. Scott Martin, cuts drying time from several hours to approximately 45 minutes, officials said. 

“When I became a firefighter, [I learned] your gear is wet every day. It is sopping wet, it won’t dry,” Private Martin said. He came up with the concept when he was in the fire academy. “This stuff is so thick it just stays wet and stinky.”

Private Martin researched commercial turnout gear dryers, which can cost upward of nearly $9,000. The firefighter, who has a background in carpentry and remodeling, figured he could recreate a similar piece using inexpensive material.

Following traditions dating back before 1800, the Princeton Fire Department will push the new fire engine into its new home with the help of those in attendance.  

Refreshments will be provided, and a souvenir will be given to those who participate in the wet down and push-in.

The Wayne Township Fire Department said Engine 84 was on a medical run when another car going southbound crossed over and hit the Engine.   

The driver of the car was trapped and suffered minor injuries. That driver was taken to Eskenazi Health in good condition. 

No firefighters were hurt. 

The 10,000-square-foot building will house firefighters trained in aviation rescue operations and serve as a training and storage facility for chemicals and the airport’s two new specialized firefighting vehicles, a Striker Oshkosh 4x4 and Titan Force, known as Charlie 1 and Charlie 2.  

“Having something come to fruition like this and replacing a facility that was so antiquated and outdated, it’s just a really good addition to the airport,” Marv Esterly, VIA’s director of aviation, said at yesterday’s ribbon-cutting.

“How do you say it? ‘You plan for the worst and hope for the best?’” he added. “They continuously plan, they continuously train in all different situations and all different scenarios, and this facility will just help facilitate that.”