By FireRescue1 Staff
MONACA, Pa. — A fire department received a large grant so they could purchase a new rig to replace their aging aerial truck.
The Times reported that Monaca Fire Department No. 1 was awarded an $833,000 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant for a new ladder/pumper truck.
Fire officials said the new truck will help with an upcoming merger among three departments.
“It’s going to make the merger a little bit easier because all three departments will be able to be involved in this from the get-go,” Monaca No. 1 President Ralph Gantz said. “It’s going to be a real improvement.”
The new truck will replace the department’s 1971 rig that does not meet current standards.
“It doesn’t meet any of the latest standards, so safety is an issue,” Gantz said. “The old one doesn’t have all of the noise features of the new ones, and it’s hard on the firefighters.”
Borough manager Mario Leone said increasing the safety of the department’s fleet is a top priority.
“The safety of Monaca residents, our employees, our visitors and volunteers is our first and foremost priority,” Leone said. “This FEMA grant helps ensure Monaca Borough ... that we continue to lead the way in protecting our borough.”
Under the terms of the grant, the old truck is required to be either scrapped or donated to a fire academy.
“You can’t sell it or give it to someone else to use,” Gantz said. “The idea is if it was good enough for someone else to still use, then we could still use it.”