New Anna fire truck goes into service this week

<p class="p1">The City of Anna invited the community to attend the introduction of the latest addition to the Anna Fire Department with activities that were planned Tuesday, Jan. 12.</p><p class="p1">The city recently purchased a new 2015 Pierce quint ladder truck. The truck was manufactured by Pierce Manufacturing Inc. in Appleton, Wisconsin.</p><p class="p1">The truck's $840,000 purchase price was secured with a grant which was obtained through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and City of Anna funds.</p><p class="p1">The city plans to retire a 1972 Sutphen ladder truck, which is being donated to the Rend Lake College Fire Service Academy at Ina. Plans called for the truck to be driven to the college this week.</p><p class="p1">The truck will be used by departments throughout Southern Illinois for training purposes.</p><p class="p1">The activities on Tuesday, Jan. 12, began with a noon-hour news conference at the Anna Fire Department. </p><p class="p1">During the news conference, Anna Fire Chief Gary Rider said that the new truck was officially going into service on Tuesday.</p><p class="p1">Anna Fire Department assistant chief and longtime firefighter Bill Jackson voiced gratitude to the Anna City Council for supporting the effort which brought the new truck to the community.</p><p class="p1">"It's truly a truck for Anna – designed by Anna," Jackson noted. Anna Fire Department personnel shared their input on the creation on the new truck.</p><p class="p1">The Anna Fire Department planned to host an open house Tuesday evening. The open house was designed to give community members an opportunity to see the fire truck and to tour the fire department facilities.</p><p class="p1">The department says that the new truck will be a benefit for all of Union County.</p><p class="p1">Fire Chief Rider said that training for the department's personnel was held last week. The department has 20 firefighters. </p><p class="p1">Training sessions started Sunday, Jan. 3, and continued through Thursday, Jan. 7, at the Anna Fire Department. </p><p class="p2"> </p>

<p class="p1">The Anna Fire Department's new fire truck was showcased during an open house, which was scheduled Tuesday evening, Jan. 12. Anna firefighters were being trained on the new vehicle last week. A training session was held Tuesday night, Jan. 5. The session was being led by Steve Melchior, a representative of the firm which manufactured the new truck – Pierce Manufacturing Inc. in Appleton, Wisconsin.</p>