Chief John Soisson requested the state Highway Patrol inspect two of his trucks — the 1994 pumper/tanker and the 1985 Gruman pumper. After each vehicle failed to pass the inspections Friday, the chief immediately placed them out of service.

The truck was purchased through the Firefighter Property Program and converted into a fire truck by Chief Chris Moss and members of the department, according to a news release from the county. The Firefighter Property Program is part of the Department of Defense, allowing fire departments to obtain excess property to be used for firefighting and emergency services.

"As many of you are aware Long County is no stranger to brush fires," Moss said. "The overall price of this truck from start to finish was around $9,000. Similar brush trucks with fewer options start out at $180,000."

Last year the department also used SPLOST funds to replace one of the department’s class A engines after it became unrepairable and was in need of replacement.

The Redlands Fire Department has been awarded $437,487 from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, according to a news release from Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino.

The department will use the funds to buy 64 new Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses to outfit the entire department and replace existing equipment that is more than 15 years old, according to the release.

The funding will also cover the cost to train personnel on repairing and maintaining the equipment.