Grant offsets cost of new Jackson County fire engine

MARIANNA, Fla. (WTVY) - Jackson County Fire Department is getting a new fire engine but it’s also a big cost for the department considering inflation.

Luckily, a federal grant is helping ease the burden by covering 90% of the expense. That adds up to about $500,000.

The county will still be responsible for about $50,000.

Fire Chief Charles Brunner said the grant is needed because the price of fire engines has gone up.

“We saw a significant amount of inflation for the same vehicle with the same specifications.,” Brunner said. “We saw that the fire truck went up about $150,000 in price just over two years with inflation.”

The new truck will be on the road by the end of 2025 and replace a 20-year-old truck. Brunner said the replacement is necessary to keep engines up-to-date and reliable.

He said the new truck will have more than enough compartment space for gear and our tools. It will also have a new pump with less strain than the old one.

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