New engine on the horizon for Springdale VFD

Springdale Volunteer Fire Department will soon have a new fire engine for the first time in more than two decades.

The department has ordered a Ferarra Cinder, which Fire Chief Dan Copeland described as a “rescue-style pumper.” Copeland became chief of the department in July after spending more than a decade as a captain.

“It feels very good. We haven’t had a brand new engine since 1999,” he said.

The total cost for the engine is $910,000. Copeland said $340,000 of that will be covered by a loan from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and another $440,000 will be financed through Republic First National bank. The department will have to put up a $130,000 down payment for the vehicle, he said.

The borough will be contributing $25,000 to the purchase, Copeland said.

The engine can pump 2,000 gallons of water per minute and hold up to 1,000 gallons itself, he said.

Copeland said the engine would be part of a “rebranding” of the department. The current engines have red and white cabs with gold letters, while the new vehicle will have a gray and red cap with silver lettering.

“We’re changing the way we look,” the chief said.

The engine will be finished by February and delivered to the department in April, he said.