The Mount Pleasant Fire Department has a new emergency vehicle in its ranks.
The new fire engine and rescue apparatus hybrid is equipped with a 1,500 gallon per minute HALE pump and an on-board tank with a capacity of 300 gallons.
In addition to using the apparatus for fighting fires, the vehicle will be used for emergency medical responses, motor vehicle accidents and to pull an innovative firefighting foam trailer used by the local department.
The foam trailer, supplied by partnerships with the Maury County Office of Emergency Management and Solvay, a local chemical manufacturing company, is used to respond to all major flammable liquid fires across Maury County.
The small size and power of the new fire engine will allow for the rapid deployment of the trailer. An all-new HME MiniEvo from the Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Company, the vehicle is constructed from the base of a 2019 RAM 5500 heavy-duty 4x4 chassis.
"This truck fits our needs," Fire Chief Phillip Grooms told The Daily Herald. "It is designed to fit some of the smaller roads that we have in the city. It has everything we need, from EMS equipment to the tools we use to battle fires."
The chief said the vehicle's small size and multifaceted tool set make it a perfect fit for some of the city's narrow roads that can not be accessed with a traditional firetruck.
"This addition to the department will greatly improve response times to citizens in the downtown area and southern part of the city," Grooms said.
The vehicle, which cost a total of $218,000, was funded by the city with the help of a 35% grant through the United States Department of Agriculture-Rural Development and a low interest 15-year loan.
"The department is thankful the city's elected officials and the city manager are engaging in strategic long-term planning, not only for putting it on paper, but following through with the strategic planning process," said Grooms.
The new engine and rescue apparatus hybrid will be stationed at Fire Station No. 2 at 1158 N. Main St. Grooms welcomes the community to the fire station to see the new vehicle.
The new vehicle is planned to make a permanent home at 209 Bond Street, a structure that was recently purchased by the city. The building will be the new home of the city's planning and zoning department along with an additional fire station.
"This new truck is an excellent addition to the city," said Mayor Bill White.
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