Members of the L & L (Lehigh and Lausanne) Volunteer Fire Company in Weatherly pushed two new trucks into their station during their truck housing ceremony held on Saturday.

The first truck to be housed, numbered "1941", a 2012 Ford F150 brush truck purchased for $45,000 from Milham Ford in Allentown via a DCED Grant. This was the first brush truck owned by the fire company. Martha Raynock, 35-year volunteer and current treasurer, christened the brush truck.The second truck, numbered "1932", a 2011 U.S. Tanker Company 3,000 gallon pumper/tanker truck, was purchased for $199,500 from a dealer in Wisconsin via the 2008-2009 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant. It is capabable of pumping 750 gallons of water in 60 seconds. The new truck replaced their old 1979 Mack Tanker truck, which was sold to a farmer in Missouri. The pumper/tanker truck was christened by Eugene Hinkle, a past fire police Captain with L & L. Hinkle is also the oldest member of the fire company.Keith Koch, firefighter and grant writer, said, "Our fire company, formed in 1945, consists of about 15 active members, and covers about 100 square miles, to include the Lehigh Gorge State Park, Lehigh and Lausanne Townships and mutual aid calls to Weatherly, Beaver Meadows and Kidder Township.""It is always a great thing to see that these grants get approved," said Representative Doyle Heffley, who was present during the event. "In addition to saving tax payers billions of dollars, volunteer firefighters do so much for our communities."Volunteers pointed out that the fire company responds to about a 100 calls a year, averaging 10 - 20 structure fires, 30 motor vehicle accidents, 10 brush fires and 20 medical assistance calls.Numerous local and state officials were on-hand during the ceremony. Carbon County Commissioner Tom J. Gerhard spoke about how established L & L is in the community. He also stressed the importance and value of all volunteer firefighters, stating, "It is extremely important to appreciate and support all fire companies.""Our company is a family of volunteers," said L & L Fire Chief and EMT Tony McFadden, who has over 30 years of firefighting experience. "We encourage all to join or volunteer with our fire company."For more information about L & L, visit them on Facebook or stop by their station, located at 390 S. Lehigh Gorge Drive in Weatherly.