New tanker truck is VFD’s goal

By Hal Johnson
Herald Writer

Hempfield Township Volunteer Fire Department’s annual fund drive is taking on a special sense of urgency this year.

The fire department is depending on the drive for the money to replace a 28-year-old tanker truck, said Aldra Ritter, fire department president.

The tanker must be replaced this year, Mrs. Ritter said. It no longer is practical to repair the truck, a solicitation letter said.

“Who do you know who still drives a 28-year-old vehicle?” Mrs. Ritter asked. The tanker is one of six fire trucks in the department’s fleet that are between 17 and 28 years old. The fire department should think about replacing at least one of those vehicles during the next five to eight years, the letter said.

To do that, the fire department must rely on private fund-raising, Mrs. Ritter said. Besides the annual mail solicitation, proceeds from Tuesday evening dinners in Hempfield Station One Banquet Center and a $1,000 contribution from Wal-Mart will be used to replace the tanker, she said. The fire department is sending out letters and brochures to each resident and independent business in Hempfield and Sugar Grove townships. The mailings will coincide with Emergency Services Week in Pennsylvania (March 12-18).

Last year, the annual drive brought in $19,600; not enough to buy a truck and support the fire department’s normal operations, Mrs. Ritter said.

Last year, the department’s 30 active volunteers responded to 218 emergency calls for a total of 3,300 man hours.

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