The ALF Engine 3 will only remain in its current reserve status until the new Engine is up and running.

The old engine has served Coldwater for 27 years but it has shown its age in recent years.

According to a post on the fire department’s Facebook page, the department has been unable to find replacement parts and the ALF has failed its last couple of pump tests.

The bill would give $25,000 to volunteer firefighters who contract types of cancer including melanoma, digestive, hematological, lymphatic, urinary, prostate, neurological, breast and reproductive.

If a firefighter is unable to work due to illness, the bill grants firefighters 36 months of $1,500 in disability benefits.

And if a firefighter dies, the bill provides a $50,000 benefit to the firefighter's family.

Currently, volunteer firefighters are not afforded disability or health protections except through the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law, which provides a maximum of $600 a month in disability benefits, according to the bill's introductory memo.

Local fire departments, districts or municipalities will pay for the expanded benefits, according to the legislators who sponsored the bill, Sen. Joseph Griffo (R-Rome) and Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica). 

Fire trucks will arrive from four different states for the event, which will also feature a historic Charlotte Fire Department steam-powered pumper, the 200th anniversary of the Salisbury Fire Department, a fire truck parade, and the Norfolk Southern Lawmen Band giving a special tribute to a founding member.

The main attraction is, of course, the largest gathering of fire trucks for a public event in the state of North Carolina, with fire trucks, emergency vehicles, the N.C. Forest Service helicopter, kids’ activities, and rescue demonstrations.

Edinburg Fire Chief Shawn Snyder said the rescue operation was a team effort. He said the departments train together during the year to make sure they are ready for such dangerous rescues.

"We have what is called the Rio Grande Valley Regional Response Association, which is a makeup of the larger cities of the Rio Grande Valley. So we equip each other with same equipment, we train together and send our people to the same training events. So that they all work together," he said.

Snyder explained expert precision was necessary in the rescue not only because of the height, but also due to guide wires connected to the silo. He said if any of those wires were hit, the entire silo could fall.

He added the tactical team was called in for the rescue operation. He said they were executing two rescue plans simultaneously.