WEATHERSFIELD — Township officials unveiled their new $550,000 fire rescue and pumper vehicle, the purchase of which was made possible by passage of a safety forces levy in spring 2023.

Trustees at their meeting this week allowed the public to see the new vehicle.

Fire Chief Tom Lambert said the vehicle serves a dual purpose.

It holds up to 1,000 gallons of water to put out fires and can also be used for rescues with a Jaws of Life and hazmat equipment attached, as well as foam.

Lambert said the new vehicle will replace two older vehicles, a 30-year old rescue and old fire engine.

“This will be an asset not only to the fire department but the community,” he said.

Fire Capt. Ray Knepper said the new vehicle is “two vehicles combined” to respond to medical calls, auto accidents and fires.

“A lot of fire departments today are going with vehicles like this,” Knepper said.

Trustee Richard Harkins said the residents’ support of the levy made this purchase possible.

The safety forces levy funds also support the day-to-day operation of the police department, from equipment to staffing.

The money has helped replace aging police cruisers, along with a 29-year-old pump truck and 10 sets of expiring turnout gear for the firefighters.

Officials have said the last time they got additional money for the police department was in 1998.

In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, trustees approved the use of American Rescue Plan funds for the purchase of new tires for the roadside mower at $1,600 and purchase of a new hydraulic cylinder for the boom mower at $1,927.

Trustee Steve Gerberry said work needed to be done on the equipment.

Trustees also approved applying for a $3,000 MORE grant from Ohio Township Risk Management Authority,which will be $1,000 each for police, fire and road departments for new safety equipment reimbursement.

“It is used for reimbursement for items we already purchased,” Gerberry said.

Gerberry said this is an annual grant, which in previous years was on rotation of one department per year receiving the funds, but now there is enough funds to be split among the three departments.

In other action, trustees:

• Approved closing Wildwood Drive between Ohltown McDonald Road and Watson Marshall Road 4 to 10 p.m. Aug. 24 for a 30th annual block party.

• Entered into an agreement with Active 911 Inc. of Philomath, Oregon, at $2,799 for the continued use of the ActiveAlert computer aided dispatching, paging and notifications used by the fire department.

• Entered into an agreement with Sundance Systems of Valley View at $3,200 to be compliant with the Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) used by the police department for $2,000.

Staff photo / Bob Coupland
Weathersfield Township received delivery of a $550,000 fire rescue and pumper vehicle, which was shown at the township trustees meeting this week. From left are fire Capt. Ray Knepper and firefighters Alex Rich and Mike Chambers.