through an emergency vehicle loan, Texas A&M Forest Service is delivering a state owned fire truck to the Port Aransas Fire Department.

The fire truck was acquired though the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program and is kept on hand to be used in situations when fire departments suffer catastrophic equipment loss. The truck will help the fire department service the community until permanent equipment is in place.

Statewide 145 fire apparatus have been confirmed as damaged or destroyed. Twenty-four fire stations were completely destroyed and hundreds more have wind and water damage. Hundreds of sets of protective clothing, and pieces of equipment here damaged while responding to calls for assistance during the disaster.

Four traffic citations were filed before Erie 5th Ward District Judge Paul Bizzarro against Angelo L. Borrero Jr., 53. He was charged by summons on Wednesday with summary counts of failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, obedience to traffic control devices, improper tires and careless driving in the crash, which happened at the intersection of East 26th and French streets on Sept. 17 at about 5:45 p.m.

A crew aboard Erie Engine Co. 6 was responding to a call and was traveling east on East 26th Street when it was struck broadside by a Honda, driven by Borrero, that was traveling south on French Street. The fire engine had its lights and sirens activated at the time of the crash, according to police.

There were no reported injuries in the crash. The Honda received heavy front-end damage, and the fire truck was also damaged, according to police and fire investigators.

The grant allows the fire department to hire six additional firefighter paramedics, with three-person staffing on the fire engines. A move that bolsters their ability to respond to any emergency.

"We'd like to get to four but it's a start to get to three and give better protection to our community and it's going to give much safer opportunities to anyone who has medical needs or fire needs with the fire department," said Cathedral Mayor Stan Henry.

The grant will fund about 85% of new firefighter's salary for three years.  The grant also increases safety for the community and firefighters themselves.

Skene said a new truck will cost anywhere from $800,000 to $1.5M.

Purchasing another used truck is difficult, since there aren't many on the market, and many available from the United States aren't viable because those trucks aren't designed to work in cold weather.

Skene said he has support from city council to renew fire equipment, but the purchase of a new aerial truck is the most expensive item on the city's fire department list.

He said until the unit is replaced, it will be tested weekly to ensure the equipment is functional.