Residents gathered for a chance to see the new engine, a Rosenbauer 2016 Type 1, as it was pushed into the engine bay as part of a long-standing fire department tradition. Assisting the firefighters in the pushing were members of the community.

“It’s nice to see a new engine,” said Questa Village resident Jeniece Avalos, who took her daughter and her two friends to the firehouse. “I am glad the CSD approved it.”

Comprising 12 firefighters, the $13.1 million firehouse is home to Fire Engine 22, Fire Truck 11 and Ambulance 22, serving both the Brightwood and Takoma neighborhoods. The state-of-the-art, 19,000-square-foot facility features three floors, a community room for neighborhood use, a green roof, and underground parking, as well as training and living spaces, for its personnel.

On Sunday, members of the Delmar department made the trip to Waterloo and were given the keys to a 1986 pumper truck.

“Our old truck has issues,” said Delmar Fire Chief Ray Cantrell. “It was going to cost us $15,000 to $16,000 to repair, and we just don’t have that kind of money.

“We just barely have enough money to pay the bills. We’re having fundraisers every month to get by on,” he said.

Kavich learned of the department’s issues through a chance meeting with a Delmar firefighter and his wife at a Florence restaurant.