Unadilla Township Fire Department is proud owner of new rescue truck

by Mary Jo David

On May 17, 2024, the Unadilla Township Fire Department is now the proud owner of a new Rescue Truck, to be used for, among other things, medical runs, farm accidents, and water and ice rescues.

The purchase was originally approved to receive Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) grant money from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

After UTFD received the necessary grant approvals and sent in the Rescue Truck order, the NHTSA funds did not come through, so no funds were received from OHSP. As a result, Unadilla Township has had to fund the vehicle purchase or incur a large cancellation fee. The Township is still hoping to receive grant funds at the state or federal level, although their requests are falling on deaf ears in the short term. According to Fire Chief Wendy Hause, they are not giving up on pursuing these funds.

Left to right: Sgt. Brad Smith, Fire Chief Wendy Hause, and Assistant Fire Chief Allen Beutler were on hand on May 17 to accept delivery of the new and much needed Unadilla Township Fire Department’s Rescue 700—a rescue apparatus vehicle. Photo credit: Mary Jo David