The City of Newport will purchase a new fire engine that will be funded almost entirely with a nearly $500,000 federal grant.
Under the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, the city is only required to put up a 5 percent match of the $476,191 grant, or $23,809. The Newport City Commission unanimously approved the purchase Monday, Nov. 14.
“This a good value and a good piece of equipment that will serve the city well for many years,” said Newport Fire Chief Bill Darin.
The Pierce Fire Engine will replace a 1989 pumper truck and is scheduled to be delivered to the city in nine months. It will be housed at the South Newport Station on Main Street.
Chief Darin praised veteran firefighter Lt. Chuck Dietz, who writes the department’s grants.
“Chuck has secured about $2 million in grants for the department,” Chief Darin. “In addition to this grant, he also wrote a grant for a $750,000 ladder truck as well as grants for manpower and equipment. Chuck’s talent and success in writing grants is a true asset to the department and the city.”
In 2015, The Newport Fire Department made 1,642 fire runs and 5,024 total calls for service.
With an aging fleet, the city department applied for the federal grant, according to Larisa Sims, Newport’s Assistant to the City Manager.
The grant was awarded through a highly competitive process that involved fire departments from across the nation applying for equipment, protective gear and programming funds.
City of Newport