New Tanker Arrives at Woodlawn Fire Dept.

's new tanker-pumper has arrived, about two months earlier than initially expected.

Before being put into service, the department's volunteer fireighters have been training on the state-of-the-art tanker, which has greater capacities and more safety features than the old one.

The new tanker carries 2,500 gallons of water for fighting fires and a pool that will hold 3,000 gallons of water (500 gallons more than the old tanker), said chief engineer Will Schlier. It has a generator and a pump panel than injects foam into the water to aid in fire-fighting efforts. An EMS cabinet carries oxygen and automated external defibrillator.

The new tanker is 40 feet, one inch long, which makes it three feet, one inch longer than the old one, Schlier said. It seats six, rather than five, firefighters, who all are able to sit inside the cab.

South Whitehall commissioners had  more than a year ago, authorizing the spending of more than $500,000. At the time, officials said the new safety requirements had driven up the cost of new fire trucks. 

The fire department's old tanker, built in 1988, has been sold to a fire company in Berks County for $14,000, according to Woodlawn Fire Chief .

Woodlawn Fire Department is one of three volunteer companies located in South Whitehall and serving the community. It answered 537 calls in 2011, as well as 69 in 2012 (as of Feb. 26), according to its website.

The township is also home to and

Though located in North Whitehall, the Tri-Clover Fire Co. also serves a portion of the township.