Ill. airport receives $800K grant for new fire truck

The new vehicle will replace an existing front-line rescue truck that will be 10 years old when the new one is ready several months from now

By John Reynolds
The State Journal-Register

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport $800,000 to purchase a replacement aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle.

Mark Hanna, executive director of the airport, said the new vehicle will replace an existing front-line rescue truck that will be 10 years old when the new one is ready several months from now.

“These vehicles are custom-built based on specifications,” Hanna said. “We’re probably looking at six to nine months for it to be delivered and probably another 30 to 60 days for final testing and training.”

The airport’s existing front-line truck will be retained as a second-line rescue vehicle.

“This fits in perfectly with our vehicle-replacement program in keeping our emergency and rescue fleet up to date and modern,” Hanna said.

The $800,000 grant was announced Friday by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s office.

“These critical funds will help improve safety for travelers flying in and out of Springfield’s airport,” Durbin said in the announcement. “Investing in our small airports is key to our state’s economic success, and I will continue working to ensure Illinois communities have access to the federal resources that make air travel safer and more efficient.”