NEW MARKET — The newest addition to the fleet at the New Market Community Volunteer Fire Department will bring more fighting power to battling fires.
The truck, donated to the department by a volunteer fire company in Connecticut, replaces a 52-year-old engine that went into service when chief Dan Keller’s grandfather was in charge of the force.
The newer engine, a 1993 KME pumper which is expected to hit the road in December, sports an enclosed cab for the firefighters and more room for hoses and equipment. It stores more water and is capable of pumping twice as many gallons per minute than the older truck.
“It really brings us into the 21st century in firefighting,” Keller said.
The truck came to New Market in May from the North Madison Volunteer Fire Company on the coast of Long Island Sound. Firefighters had to scrub ocean salt from the truck, which was nicknamed “Nomad” for the camel decal on the side of the cab.
Fire departments often donate used equipment to other agencies that can’t afford to purchase new vehicles. Replacing the old engine would have cost New Market at least $400,000.
“It’s worth a million dollars to us today, so we’re happy to have it,” said fire department board president Eric Brewer, who has relatives serving in the North Madison department.
The 1968 engine will likely be put up for sale and could attract interest from antique fire equipment collectors, Keller said.
New Market’s fleet of seven vehicles answers calls in the town of New Market and parts of Brown and Scott townships. In 2019, Brown Township purchased the department a pickup truck for first responders. About two-thirds of the department’s calls are medical runs.
By giving the truck to New Market, Keller said the Connecticut department helped boost the department’s ability to assist other departments at fire scenes.
“It could have gone anywhere, but they chose us,” Keller said. “We were making due, but this will make it a lot easier for us.”
