The town of Chocowinity recently took delivery of its new ambulance and is set to put it in service this week.

Officials say the town has not had a new ambulance in almost a decade. Previous ambulances had frequent mechanical issues and one even broke down on the side of the road, reports washingtondailynews.com.

The ambulance has a power-load feature that automatically releases and returns stretcher wheels, which is easier on crews’ backs.

Officials estimate that the EMS team will go on upward of 3,000 calls this year.

Chocowinity EMS contacted Rep. Keith Kidwell for assistance; he secured $235,000 in COVID-19 funds.

Friday at 12:03 p.m., Wears Valley Fire Department Tanker 81 was involved in a single-vehicle accident.

The apparatus was returning to the station after responding to multiple incidents when the vehicle dropped off the shoulder of the roadway, a Facebook post reads. In attempt to correct, the vehicle then slid in a power pole before overturning. The accident occurred near the 3300 block of Covemont Lane in the Wears Valley Community.

The driver of the apparatus received injuries believed to be minor and was transported to the UT Medical Center for evaluation by the Sevier County Ambulance Service. Other responding agencies beside the Wears Valley Fire Department include: The Sevier County Ambulance Service, Sevier County Sheriffs Office, Sevier County Rescue Squad, Sevier County Electric System, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

“We would like to thank Catons Chapel/Richardsons Cove Volunteer Fire Department for loaning us an apparatus until we are able to secure a replacement!” a separate Facebook post reads.

An Anderson Volunteer Fire Department firefighter suffered injuries in a tanker rollover while responding to a fire Saturday. He is expected to make a full recovery.

The fire broke out in a house on County Road 185 on Saturday afternoon. No one was in the house at the time of the fire.

The firefighter has non-life-threatening injuries, the department said on Facebook. A tire blowout is believed to be the cause of the accident.

Rosenbauer—Bloomington (MN) Fire Department pumper. Commander R6011 cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSUC20 2,000-gpm pump; 750-gallon polypropylene water tank; TFT Crossfire monitor with 18-inch Extenda Gun; FireTech scene lighting. Dealer: Steve Harris, General Safety Fire Apparatus, Wyoming, MN. (Photo by Paul Barrett.)

MORE FIRE APPARATUS ARTICLES>>