The Kell Fire Department officially welcomed it’s $600,000 new pumper-tanker truck over the weekend with an open house and push in to the station.
Fire Chief Lonnie McDaneld thanked the community for their support that made the new truck possible.
“We passed a bond referendum to be able to buy this truck. And by that we asked the tax payers in the Kell Fire District to buy these bonds, and we pay for it through your taxes and for that we are very appreciative. You guys have never let us down. Anytime we needed something and we ask the public you are always there. And you don’t know how appreciative we are at this department, for the people we have in our community. And we thank you very, very much.”
Matt Renaud offered a prayer and blessing of the truck before members of the department gathered in front of the new truck, and with some help from a driver and the power of the truck, pushed it into the station. McDaneld noted the tradition of the push-in dates back to the day’s fire trucks were pulled by horses and had to be pushed back into the station when the horses were unhooked.
The new truck can carry 2,000 gallons of water, double the amount of the truck it is replacing. The Kell Fire Department also recently obtained another pumper-tanker truck taken out of service by the Salem Fire Protection District after 35 years of service. With the new additions, they will be retiring one of their older trucks.
Front view of new Kell Fire Department tanker pumper.
Kell Fire Department members pose with new fire truck.
