The fire department's auxiliary helped raise the majority of funds necessary to purchase a 2015 Dodge 3500 to replace their existing truck.

“We had to upgrade our old utility vehicle for hauling trailers,” said Chief Andy McDade, noting the new vehicle needed to have enough towing capability to pull their special operations trailer, which is mainly used for ice water rescue.

The truck will be upgraded to a rescue unit, McDade said, and noted it will be the first vehicle out the doors when the Brooklyn Fire Department responds to medical alarms and traffic control calls.

Combined with the trade-in of the old vehicle, McDade said the upgrade cost about $60,000.

Residents of the West Fork Valley north of Dolores formed the nonprofit department last year to address the lack of nearby emergency services. A five-person board has been working on logistics, including fundraising for building a fire station.

It costs around 30 to 40 thousand dollars to replace all of their equipment and they're going to have to do that in the next two years. So this grant was the first step to help them pay for it.