Polk Township Volunteer Fire Department had a “new” tanker join their fleet of seven apparatuses between their firehouses in Kresegville and Jonas.

“We did the financially responsible thing by purchasing a used tanker instead of a new one,” said Polk Fire Chief Billy Tippett.

It is a 2010 International chassis manufactured by Pierce. It holds 2,900 gallons of water and can spray 1,500 gallons per minute.

The fire department purchased it from Command Fire Apparatus in Mount Joy. The tanker had previously served in Loudoun County, VA.

Frontline Graphix in Jim Thorpe did the new lettering. And Polk firefighters upfitted the equipment and radios.

“It cost us around $389,000, compared to the more than a $1 million that a new tanker would have cost and about four years to get it,” said Tippett. “We were very fortunate to find this one in May.”

The fire department made a down payment and took out a loan. They will use fundraising profits and revenue from the township fire tax to pay off the truck.

“The township supervisors have been great and are very supportive of this addition and our firefighters,” said Tippett.

Parked in the Kresgeville firehouse, the tanker is filled with water and ready for its first emergency call.

In the meantime, the firefighters have been training and getting familiar with it.

“I’m one of the older guys here. It is more modern than our old 1993 tanker and little bit different. I’m glad they got this one,” said member Al Keller.

The tanker has room for one driver and one passenger. It has a 3,000-gallon portable pond.

“It’s not fancy with equipment. It’s purpose is to get water to the fire,” said Tippett.

Upcoming events

Tippett said their community picnic on Saturday will be “good, wholesome family fun.” From 1 to 8 p.m., there will be a band and DJ, BBQ chicken, pig roast and a cake walk.

The last BBQ chicken dinner of the year will be held on Oct. 12.

The parking lot in the back will be set up for Trunk or Treat on Oct. 27. Costumed kids and their families will go around collecting candy and treats.

Gun Bingo will be held on Nov. 8. And breakfast with Santa will be held on Dec. 21.

More information about all these events can be found on their Facebook page.

They have 30 active firefighters and are looking for more new faces to join the roster. Tippett said the Ladies’ Auxiliary also is in need of volunteers.