Carroll County Invests $5.5 Million in New Fire Department Equipment

HUNTINGDON (June 30) — The Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget approved by the Carroll County Commission Monday includes a $5.5 million investment into new fire department equipment.

New additions to the fleet will include six new fire engines, four new 2,000-gallon tankers and two new mini-pumpers/rescue trucks.

According to Carroll County Fire Chief Jonathan Gaskins, the new vehicles will help replace a portion of the aging fleet, of which many vehicles are nearly four decades old.

He said that some of the oldest vehicles will be eliminated and others will be shifted to reserve status. The department currently has no reliable vehicles in reserve. Having better vehicles in reserve, Gaskins said, will improve the department's rating in an ISO audit, which helps homeowners by improving insurance rates. The department is currently at a 6 rating (out of 10, with 1 being the highest rating).

The chief said the new equipment will be strategically placed across the county at most of the department's 13 stations.

If the ordering process is completed soon, as Gaskins expects, the tankers and rescue trucks should arrive in approximately two months, and the engines should come late this year or early next year.

Chief Gaskins told The Banner, "With this large of an investment from Carroll County into the fire department, it will reduce response times, reduce maintenance costs and improve reliability for emergency services across Carroll County."