The Times-Independent

Moab Valley Fire receives grant for new fire truck



The Permanent Community Impact Board approved a $324,000 grant and a $276,000 low-interest loan for Moab Valley Fire Protection Service to purchase a new fire truck, according to a statement from the CIB.

File photo

“This is great news,” said Battalion Chief Shea Walker. “We have a desperate need for a pumper-tanker.”

Walker said the truck has a 3,000-gallon capacity; a normal engine has a capacity of 1,000 gallons. “It’s heavy duty,” he said, adding, “What that means is, we can send half of the personnel with the new engine. This truck will take care of almost any fire and it will have a huge impact, especially in areas in our district and out of our district where there’s no fire hydrants.”

Volunteers will have to be patient while waiting for the new truck to be delivered. Walker said it takes 18 months to build a modern pumper-tanker. “We won’t see it until mid-2023,” he said.

At the Feb. 3 CIB meeting, the board also approved funding for the following projects in southeast Utah, according to the statement:

The Castle Valley Special Service District received funding approval for a $1,000,000 grant and a $1,000,000 low-interest loan for consolidated capital projects. The project consists of drainage construction in Elmo, Cleveland, Huntington, Castle Dale, Clawson and Ferron; street improvements in Elmo, Cleveland, Huntington, Castle Dale, Orangeville, Clawson, Ferron and Emery; secondary water improvements in Castle Dale; culinary water system improvements in Orangeville and Ferron; a middle water settling pond construction in Emery.

The Town of Emery received funding approval for a $420,000 grant to renovate an 1898 Pioneer Church for future use as a Welcome Center and Event Center.

The Town of Scofield received funding approval for a $315,000 grant and a $110,000 low-interest loan to install 90 residential water meters, two commercial water meters, and a SCADA system.

The Eastern Utah Television Association received funding approval for a $144,000 grant to purchase, replace and install microwave links and network equipment in Carbon, Emery, Duchesne, Uintah and Daggett. Benefitting counties may also include Grand and San Juan.

“The safety of our communities depends on continual infrastructure improvements,” said board member and San Juan County Commissioner Bruce Adams. “The Permanent Community Impact Board is proud to offer grants and low-interest loans to help communities remain safe for decades to come.”