The truck on the other hand not so much. It was towed back to the station and remains out of service. The damage may appear minimal, but repairs could take months, and during that time, the company will need help from other local departments.

“For certain calls, if we need them we have a very good mutual aid network.”

Instead, the district will pursue a different grant, which would provide funds to help with repairs to the existing ambulance facility on Main Street.

That facility was damaged in heavy rains that caused a wooden debris wall to fail, forcing ambulance crews to relocate to private property until it could be fixed. The water caused damage to other portions of the Main Street property, as well.

The department purchased the truck just last August for $700,000; the accident temporarily leaves the department without its primary tool.

"It carries all of our hydraulic rescue equipment for motor vehicle accidents, some of our hazardous materials equipment and all of our structural firefighting equipment," Mellon said.

Until the truck is repaired, the company will answer calls with its two backup engines and rely on assistance from smaller mutual aid companies nearby.