"There is a significant call volume on the north side of Edinburg--north side of Monte Cristo and that is what called for that demand of placing a station out there, to improve response times in that area,” said Edinburg Fire Department Chief Shawn Snider.

According to town officials, the truck features a 105-foot, heavy-duty steel ladder with a pre-piped waterway, LED lighting, a variety of rescue equipment, power and hand tools.

"The new ladder truck shows Council's commitment not only to the safety of Montclair and Glen Ridge citizens but also to our firefighters," Fire Chief John Herrmann said. "It's a major investment in our public safety capabilities, allowing our personnel to respond quickly and safely to any incident."

"We are looking to replace one of the pumpers," he told the Range News. "Depending on what used pumper is available at the time we get a grant - assuming we are that lucky - we would make the decision that gives us the best combination of current versus new. Both of our current pumpers are the same vintage and each has its positives and negatives."

The department took delivery of a 1999 engine March 27 and barely found room to park it inside the Challis Fire Hall, North Custer Fire Chief Launna Gunderson said. She had to do some serious measuring to find a bay to fit the new engine. The red 1984 engine now sits outside awaiting a surplus auction.

The new engine has a higher-capacity pump, 1,250 gallons per minute vs. 1,000 gpm for the old one, and can carry five firefighters. It’s equipped with a high-pressure deck gun that can quickly drown fires. The newer engine is the third North Custer has purchased from a small but reliable company in Wisconsin that rebuilds and sells older engines, Gunderson said