Swansboro gets shiny, red addition

SWANSBORO - There was a bright spot in Swansboro in an otherwise overcast day as a shiny new red fire truck pulled into town.

The 2008 Rosenbauer Freightliner tanker was delivered Wednesday just before town officials closed on the purchase of the truck, which is being paid for through a $158,000 loan from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

"This truck will be very beneficial to the (fire) department and we anticipate it will be in service in two to three weeks," said Swansboro Fire Department Chief Bob Penrod.

There is equipment to add to the truck and department members to be trained to use it, but a couple of weeks isn't long to wait after being without a tanker for about a year, Penrod said.

The 1971 tanker the department previously used had a number of mechanical problems and was sold by the town to a refinery in Georgia.

"It was a very, very old tanker and we couldn't find parts for it anymore," Penrod said.

Tankers carry water to fire scenes where there is no water supply or the supply is limited.

While the Swansboro Fire Department's two engines and ladder truck also carry water and were available to do so as needed, the tanker holds as much as the other trucks combined.

The new tanker holds 2,000 gallons of water and can pump 1,250 gallons of water per minute.

Penrod said the department is pleased to have a tanker back in its fleet of vehicles, but the only difference residents may have noticed is the change in colors, with a red tanker replacing the old white one.

"It didn't affect response because of the actions we take to make sure everything is covered," he said.

In addition to its own capabilities, the Swansboro Fire Department benefits from mutual aid agreements with surrounding departments.

Neighboring departments were ready with a tanker if one was needed; likewise, Swansboro is always ready to help others where they may need it, Penrod said.

"We take care of each other. That's what it is all about," he said.

C.W. Williams & Co. of Rocky Mount was the Rosenbauer dealer used for the purchase.

The USDA financing is a 20-year loan at a low-interest rate of 4.375 percent.

 Staff writer Jannette Pippin can be reached at jpippin@freedomenc.com or 910-382-2557.