The village of Montour Falls is set to replace one of its older fire trucks with an $801,653 new rescue engine in mid-2023.

The purchase, from Churchville Fire Equipment, will be constructed by Pierce Manufacturing. It will replace a 22-year-old apparatus.

“The village of Montour Falls is fortunate to have a well-trained and dedicated volunteer fire service that works tirelessly to protect our community and neighboring communities,” Mayor James Ryan says. “My administration is pleased to secure the purchase and look forward to the deployment of new fire apparatus to support our village department and firefighters to help keep Montour Falls residents and businesses safe.”

“We appreciate the Mayor’s continued investment and commitment to supporting the Village Fire Department,” Fire Chief Matthew (Jake) Burns says. “This new Rescue Engine will help ensure the department has the tools it needs to effectively respond to fires and other emergencies not just in Montour Falls, but throughout Schuyler and surrounding Counties.”

The apparatus will join the department’s Pierce-built 2015 quint and 2003 tanker.

Benton County has provided the Gravette Fire Department with a large tanker to serve the district, much of which lies in unincorporated rural areas.

The apparatus, which holds 3,000 gallons of water, will serve as a water source in the hydrant-lacking areas of the district.

The truck will be outfitted with hoses and other such equipment, and it’s expected to be placed into service later this week; it will be housed at the Hiwasse station.

The apparatus was built by Fouts Brothers Fire Equipment (GA) and is the second new tanker provided to Gravette. It will replace an outdated Mack milk truck which has been in use for many years.

Over the last three or so years, White Rock Fire Protection District officials have been saving money for new apparatus and equipment, and now they’re about to taste the fruits of their labor.

According to a report on mdcp.nwaonline.com, the department recently took delivery of a 1997 Sutphen custom pumper, an upgrade over its current 1977 Alexis engine, the report says. The apparatus holds 750 gallons of water and can carry all the necessary tools.

Other new apparatus includes two brush trucks, recently delivered, and a 3,000-gallon pumper tanker arriving in the spring. Officials say the pumper is a special order and was paid for with a $285,000 Arkansas to Firefighters grant.

The other equipment is being purchased via funds that officials have saved since the district’s formation in 2019, according to the report.

The Charlemont Fire Department has applied for a FEMA grant that would ideally cover the entirety of a $649,000 new pumper, reports recorder.com.

Officials say the current pumper is a 1996 International Darley, which has a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. The department has one pumper, a tanker, and a rescue truck.

If the AFG program doesn’t come through, the report notes the department will try to fund it locally.