The community of Albrightsville took time out yesterday to pay tribute to its volunteer fire company as a first-ever parade in the Carbon County village helped kick off a celebration in which a new 2,000-gallon pumper was dedicated and housed.

The truck, purchased for $48,000 from the Kovatch Corporation, Nesquehoning, was bought with the assistance of a state Loan Assistance Program.

Township supervisors Kenneth McGeehan, Betty Davis and Charles Getz rode the truck that was pushed into the fire company headquarters by area fire chiefs.

State Rep. Keith R. McCall, who helped the company acquire the loan, was the keynote speaker.