They traveled an astonishing 1,400 miles in 23.5 hours.

But, in the end, the mind-boggling trek more than justified the means when they returned to their headquarters with a shiny white tanker in tow.

Members of the Parryville Fire Company No. 2 took over possession of a 1999 International S&S Tanker on Oct. 23, which firefighters said was sorely needed.

The department purchased the tanker at a cost of $117,000 through a private sale in Greenback, Tennessee. It was bought from the Springfield Fire Company in Ohio.

Complete with decals done by Szoke Graphics, Parryville, the tanker has 17,000 miles on it, and can hold 2,100 gallons.

The department put a $10,000 down payment on the tanker. It will apply for a debt reduction grant which it hopes to have next year.

Matt Bonser, engineer, Parryville Fire Company No. 2, said the tanker will be paid for through a 10-year loan with a 3.39% interest rate.

Firefighters said it’s a “big upgrade” from the early 1980s cab-over Ford, which they plan to sell, which was down for roughly three months due to mechanical issues.

“Where we were with that, and how the tank is set up to fill it and dump it, it’s to the point it was inadequate,” Bonser said. “The old truck was getting old; we’re trying to get as modern as we can.”

Tom Kobal, lieutenant, Parryville Fire Company No. 2, who is also mayor of the borough, explained the need for the tanker.

“The fire service is constantly changing,” Kobal said. “We need to keep up with the times to keep this building open to protect the community as best as possible.”

Kobal noted the fire department will continue to hold fundraisers, and use the grant, to pay for the truck.

“We have a bunch of good guys here,” he said. “It’s basically the community’s truck.”

With the tanker, the department currently has three vehicles in its fleet, including a 1995 Spartan Engine, and a 1986 Chevy Brush Truck.

Kobal noted the fire department did apply for a Local Share Assessment grant for $1.3 million for the new combination building.

“This is the second time we applied for it,” he said, adding it should know sometime in spring whether it gets the funding. “Hopefully, the state grants us that much.”

If it does, Kobal said that toward the end of 2023, the fire department should be in its new building.

The proposed multiuse building would house a new fire station, borough hall and emergency shelters.

Members of Parryville Fire Company No. 2 previously met with borough representatives to discuss their request for a new pole building, which is estimated to cost about $1.3 million.

The new building would be constructed on property to the east of the current fire company on Main Street, project engineer Eric Snyder, of Keystone Consulting Engineers Inc. said previously.

Snyder, who also serves as the borough’s engineer, has assisted both parties with the grant writing.

He previously said the basement would be the borough hall/emergency shelter; the middle floor would be the fire department and multipurpose room, and the top story would be for storage.

Borough council President Cathy Hawk previously said the fire department has submitted its RAC-P grant application.

Hawk said the RAC-P grant would cover 50% of the cost, while the LSA grant would cover the other 50% of the cost.

A former school building, Kobal previously said the plan is to preserve the fire company building’s historical artifacts by placing them in a new station, and added they would also like to build a nice wraparound deck overlooking the Gap.

Hawk said the borough building on Centre Street currently serves as a public meeting facility, despite the fact it has no running water or restrooms. As a result, visitors must go outside to the deluxe portable toilet.

That building, which at one time housed Parryville Fire Company No. 1, would remain and be used as a maintenance shed, borough officials said at that time.