NORWAY — The Norway Fire Department will buy a new tanker with $199,500 from the Department of Homeland Security, it was announced Wednesday.

Fire Department Capt. Tim Yates, who wrote the grant application, said the money will pay for a tanker to replace a 1972 GMC and a 1979 Freightliner that was retrofitted with a tanker.

Both old tankers pose problems, from being a nine-speed truck that is difficult to drive to brake and other mechanical problems.

“We need something a little safer on the road,” Yates said. “With the new standards we’ll now be up to date,” he said.

The announcement was made by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

“Our career and volunteer firefighters are among our bravest public servants. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is an extremely critical source of funds for our fire and rescue personnel,” she wrote in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon.

“Since the creation of this program, Maine fire departments have been awarded more than $54 million to help purchase new, used, or refurbished vehicles, and to obtain equipment for firefighting, interoperable communications, chemical detection, and other purposes that are essential to first responders.”

Collins said the Assistant to Firefighters Grant Program was established to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, emergency medical service programs, fire prevention and safety programs, and to purchase new fire equipment.

The money must be accepted by the town, Yates said.

The two old tankers will probably be offered to another town department or put out to bid. They can not be used again in the fire service, he said.

ldixon@sunjournal.com

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