The Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Department has an addition to its apparatus fleet.

Earlier this week, the fire department picked up a 2012 American Lafrance Eagle Pumper from the Hughestown Hose Company in Luzerne County.Rory Koons, fire company president, said the pumper cost $252,000, a deal he said his fire department couldn't pass up."We've inspected it, driven it, pumped it, and we're satisfied buying a used piece that is almost brand new," Koons said. "There's some additions we'd like to do to it, but it's still a bargain."The fire company has applied for a loan from the Volunteer Loan Assistance Program, administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.Koons said it is awaiting a determination, which he said typically takes about three to four months.Per the loan assistance program, Koons said fire department's are required to advertise whenever they borrow a loan from the state at 2 percent.The state has parameters for a used vehicle, in that it will only allow $120,000 toward the purchase price, he said.Koons said the department will use money from its capital improvement fund, and has borrowed the remainder from a local bank, to make up the difference."We will replace the 1990 and try to sell it to try to recoup some of that cost," he said. "Hopefully, we can sell it; anything we get will help."Koons said the newer apparatus "certainly will enhance our capabilities, and it will bring us close to all new and compliant equipment that's required by insurance rating services and the National Fire Protection Association.""We're in a pretty good situation with this acquisition," he said. "It minimizes the amount of maintenance and problems that you experience with these older type of vehicles."Koons said the department will look to businesses and the public through its annual fund drive, as well as its annual Fish Fry on Good Friday, to help the department pay down the debt."The community's been very good to us over the years, and they're a big part of why we're able to do what we've been able to do," he said. "Their support has been phenomenal."