The New Creek Volunteer Fire Department,  in the midst of a record-breaking year, has purchased a new air truck complete with an air compressor providing the company with continuous breathable air paired with a generator strong enough to power a nursing home.
The unit — a 1998 Spartan Chassis New Lexington Body, that was purchased from Marcus Hook Pa. last month — will greatly benefit the fire department and assist with calls in the county by providing an unlimited source of electricity through the generator with non-stop air in the event of an emergency.
“We would have to keep refilling the SCBA bottles that we wear on our backs one at a time using the old truck which was deteriorating,” said New Creek Assistant Chief, Dustin Amtower.  “With this one we can refill those six at one time. No other truck around here can do that at that quantity.”
In addition, the company has already been asked to be a back-up power supply for the old Potomac Valley Hospital in case of a power failure.
The 10-year-old special operations unit, or air bank, was purchased for $170 thousand and is being funded through a combination of a loan, donations from a letter drive, and state and county funding.
“The majority of the fundraising for this is coming from a letter drive,” said Amtower, adding that a brand new air truck costs over $400 thousand.
When the Marcus Hook Fire Department purchased the unit, it was said to be the “largest on the east coast,” said Amtower, adding that he still believes it to retain this status today.
After obtaining the vehicle, Company 38 purchased $10 thousand worth of equipment in the form of hand tools, hooks, and pulling tools to accompany the air bank on calls.
Standard apparatus – yellow, black and red stripes, have also been placed on the front bumper, and inside the doors to enhance safety, said Amtower.
Currently, Tri-Towns EMS Company 50 of Westernport is the only other company around that has upgraded to standard apparatus, which appear on the back of its units.
Serving as second due to the southwest side of the county, Amtower said the company has currently responded to 426 calls since January  — a record number, considering the department typically responds to that number of calls in a year.
“It’s because of the ambulances,” said Amtower, explaining that the first ambulance was added last August while the second one was purchased in December. “Because of the ambulances, we assist everyone around us. They are extremely busy.”
Amtower says he expects the unit to mainly respond to large fire emergencies and incidents that require extra air or electricity.
“It’s an air, electric and salvage unit that can respond to rapid intervention teams and downed firefighters,” said Amtower. “It’s also got a 28 foot light tower on top, built in lights on the sides of the body, port lights and scene lights on the bottom.”
To get an up close look at the new air bank unit, interested residents can stop by the department anytime, said Amtower.