The new truck is capable of carrying 3,000 gallons of water and pumping 1,000 gallons per minute, chief Mark Blauch said. That ability is critical in rural areas, where there often may not be a fire hydrant near the scene of a fire. 

The truck cost $390,000, Blauch said. Most of that was raised through fire company fundraisers, although there was also a contribution from North Annville Township.

The new house that the department seeks is designed to reach a wider age range, adding middle school students and the aging adult population as target audiences.

Fire officials are pleased with adding the new ambulance to its fleets because it has several safety features that will help first responders.

Safety features on the new unit include a Stryker power cot and load system, proven to reduce back injuries for paramedics, according to Mercer.

Firefighters have raised concerns since their repair workshop was transferred from the fire service’s Aberdeen headquarters at Anderson Drive to the asset resource centre at Claverhouse in Dundee in 2016.  

The move followed the decision to relocate the city’s control room, with calls also now being handled in Tayside.

The fire service has stressed that mechanics are also based in Inverness, ensuring four mobile mechanics available to work in the north-east.