The city of Poughkeepsie Fire Department has taken delivery of its new rigid-hull inflatable rescue boat purchased under a Dutchess County grant, MidHudsonNews.com reported. 

The new vessel, “Marine 2,” replaces the department’s 1985 Boston Whaler, stored at the Clover Street station, the report said.

The boat, trailer and ancillary equipment were bought from Defender Industries in Connecticut.

The 14-foot-long craft, powered by a 40-horsepower Honda engine, is capable of being deployed by trailer in minutes, with two firefighters to perform rescue operations on the Hudson River and other waters where it is needed, the report said.

The vessel cost approximately $21,000 outfitted with all of the necessary gear, and was paid for with funds received under the Dutchess County Municipal Investment Grant (MIG), according to the report. The Poughkeepsie Fire Department received $40,600 through Dutchess County’s Municipal Investment Grant (MIG) program earlier this year. Approximately $21,000 was spent on the new boat, trailer, and equipment. 

The remaining funds are earmarked to purchase an off-road vehicle and equipment to respond to calls on the department’s section of the Dutchess County Rail Trail as well as the Urban Rail Trail being constructed in the city, the report said. 

Almost $4.2 million of FEMA funds were delivered to firehouses across the Commonwealth as part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, Local21News.com reported.

Of the millions of dollars granted to Pennsylvania fire departments, Franklin County’s Fannett Metal Fire and Ambulance Company received over $20,000 in grant funds, the report said.

The fire official said the grant will help improve services within their fire department and EMS services, including buying a new engine that’s coming in 2023, upgrading the rope equipment on it, getting a grain bin rescue, and a new mannequin that’s life-like, the report said.

Brendletown Fire and Rescue celebrated its new fire engine with a push-in ceremony at the fire station on Bennett Road on September 12, Morgantown.com reported.

The new fire truck has a larger pump and can hold more water (1,500-gallon-per-minute pump, and has 1,900 gallons of water on it) than the department’s other apparatuses, a fire official said.

During the push-in ceremony, firefighters pushed the apparatus into the fire station the way they would’ve done in the early days of firefighting.

The Arlington County Fire Department is reviving a door logo last seen on county vehicles more than 50 years ago, ARLnow.com reported.

The department is gradually upgrading its vehicles with new features, including a better ride quality on its engines, the report said. A fire official said the department’s apparatus committee opted for a 1968-70 throwback design over the existing “old English style door logo.”

Beyond the visual changes, department members will have more space thanks to new cabs and chassis (the part of the vehicle including the frame, engine, transmission and other important pieces) from fire apparatus maker Pierce Manufacturing, the report said.

#SneakPeek – Coming soon to the ACFD… Notice anything different??? #engine #fire #EMS pic.twitter.com/ZpVF233oqk

— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) September 14, 2022