A new fire truck has been added to the Wellman Fire Fleet.

After a year of committee deliberation, the Wellman Volunteer Fire Department chose a new Freightliner commercial cab with a rescue body. This new fire truck replaces the previous one, which had been in service since 1994.

Fundraising for a new truck has been a department project for over 30 years. The truck itself cost $320,000, with an additional $50,000 in equipment costs. A loan of $160,000 was obtained from the Federation Bank of Wellman. The remaining funds were raised through community events and fundraisers.

The cab of the  truck can now accommodate four people rather than two. It includes built-in seats with air packs for firefighters who need to enter buildings. A 1,000 gallon tank instead of the previous truck’s 750 gallon tank, with easier access to the pump and the pumping process. Foam can now be transported on board rather than in another truck. The exterior lights are now brighter, better, and easier to see on the outside.

The truck has a more advanced design overall, but its easier use enables the Wellman Fire Department to work in tandem with the other departments.