Eustis and New Sharon fire departments have been awarded nearly $325,000 between them to buy firetrucks.

U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced $1.85 million in FIRE Act grants from the federal Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday for 16 fire departments in Maine. The grants are through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

Eustis received a $130,500 grant and New Sharon a $194,400 grant.

Eustis Fire Department plans to buy a tanker truck, said Eustis Town Clerk Kathy Fearon, who is also wife of Fire Chief Malcolm Fearon.

“Their tank trucks are in horrible disrepair,” Kathy Fearon said.

The two trucks firefighters modified into tankers are very old, she said. The newest one is from the 1970s.

One of the trucks the department modified was an army surplus truck and the other is a former Webber fuel truck, Fearon said.

“This is a real big deal to them,” she said.

The department’s match is $14,500 and that has already been set aside, Fearon said.

“These grants have been good for a lot of towns,” she said. “It’s stuff you wouldn’t be able to buy.”

New Sharon Fire Rescue is going to buy a pumper tanker, Fire Chief Jeff Brackett said.

The department’s pumper truck is a 1969 Dodge, which won’t pass inspections, including pressure tests. And the tank truck is a 1956, which was an old gasoline truck the department renovated for firefighting use.

“It’s old and doesn’t get around too good,” Brackett said.

Brackett said it would be quite a long process before the new truck is bought.

First, firefighters need to figure out specifications and then put it out to bid.

“The money is a big help; it’s very handy,” he said.

He also has to find a truck that would fit into the fire station, which initially was a carriage house before it was converted. The height clearance at the station is 8 feet, he said.

The town’s match is $21,600 and it is already reserved, Brackett said.

Other departments receiving grants are Belgrade Fire and Rescue Department, $62,694; Anson Fire Department, $82,412; Greene Volunteer Fire Department, $202,500; Sumner Volunteer Fire Department, $31,676; Newcastle Fire Company, $146,700; Ross Corner Fire Company in York County, $183,600; Waldoboro Fire Department, $63,900; Cornville Volunteer Fire Department, $166,500; Fort Fairfield Fire Department, $189,000; Mariaville Volunteer Fire Rescue Department, $147,438.

Also, Montville Volunteer Fire Department, $144,000; Skowhegan Fire Department, $31,676; Tremont Volunteer Fire Department, $53,190; and, Wellington Volunteer Fire Department, $31,500.

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