Over the past year the Junction City Fire Department has taken delivery of two new fire apparatuses, with one more on the way.

The department received the first of the two pumper apparatuses in August of last year and the new aerial apparatus in November of last year. A third pumper apparatus is expected to be delivered around the first of the year.

Fire Chief Kevin Royse explained that there are numerous benefits to replacing the departments aging fleet.

“Obviously the first benefit is the technology that’s available. The newer pumps that are on these trucks operate at a more efficient fuel savings, they produce a higher gallons per minute for fire flow versus our older trucks, and again just basically the difference between a 25-year-old truck and a new truck,” said Royse.

The aerial apparatus was purchased using a firefighters assistance grant through FEMA which covered 90 percent of the cost of that apparatus. Overall the three new apparatuses have cost approximately $1.2 million, a substantial savings compared to if they would have had to pay full price.

“If we had to buy them outright we’re talking probably at least $2 million, probably $2.5 million, if we had to buy them without any help from the grant.”

All three apparatuses have been purchased from Rosenbauer LLC.

Royse added that they are also expecting a new ambulance that will be delivered sometime in October.