To supplement lack of fire hydrants in various neighborhoods in and around Magnolia, the Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department spent $2.2 million on four Tanker Fire trucks and expects to put them on the streets by the end of February.

Fire Chief Gary Vincent said the new trucks will also help lower insurance rates for residents in neighborhoods without fire hydrants or an underground water system fire fighters can pull from. The trucks will improve water supply for the department by about 11,700 gallons, which increases the department's total water supply in its fleet to 35,700 gallons.

"This is a sizable expense, but this type of truck should last 15-20 years," Vincent said. "It's really a good investment."

The purchase did not expand the department's yearly budget, he said, and were financed after the MVFD paid off existing loans and refinanced.

Each truck's water capacity reaches about 3,300 gallons to carry to fire scenes. One of the trucks will replace a 1996 model with a 1,500 capacity at MVFD Fire Station 184, at Decker Prairie and FM 249. The other three will be placed at stations 18 near FM 1774 and FM 1488, 183 at Nichols Sawmill Road and Butera, and the new MVFD Fire Station 187 in the High Meadow Ranch area.

The two existing tankers from Stations 181 and 183 will be placed in two new fire stations currently under development, according to a station press release. Station 188 will be located at FM 149 at Karen Switch Road, and station 189 at FM 1486 near Hall Drive North.