Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department Receives a $616,400 Zero-Interest Loan for New Fire Truck
March 2023 – The Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department received a zero-interest loan from Wake Electric to help pay for a new E-ONE® Typhoon fire truck. While effectiveness is key for all fire departments, it is vital to the Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department due to the size of their huge service territory that spans approximately sixty-four square miles throughout southern Franklin County. The new fire truck will enhance their ability to suppress fires, protect property and to provide life-saving assistance.
“This new fire truck will help us better serve our community by increasing our overall effectiveness and ability to provide manpower, water and equipment during times of emergency,” Fire Chief Brandon McGhee states. This fire truck has a 1,000-gallon water tank with a 1,500-gallon per minute pump and a 30-gallon Class A foam tank. The truck can also transport up to six firefighters and carry vehicle extrication tools as well as fire hose, nozzles and related fire equipment.
This new fire truck will also help the Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department maintain their Class 4 (ISO) Insurance Service Office rating. This ISO rating helps determine insurance rates for homeowners in the area. A fire department with a lower ISO rating represents significant savings in fire insurance for residents and businesses.
“We are always proud when we can support a project that improves our communities,” said Jim Mangum, Wake Electric President and CEO. “Supporting our communities is one of our seven guiding principles that we have followed since we were founded in 1939. Working with fire departments provides us the unique opportunity to help make our communities a safer place to live.”
The funds for the Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department’s new truck were loaned by Wake Electric as part of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program. The program provides zero-interest funds to local electric cooperatives who in turn lend the money to local entities for projects that support rural areas.