Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department purchases 4 tanker trucks

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.