Photo courtesy of village of Laurium Laurium’s new fire department truck.

LAURIUM — The Laurium Fire Department announced on Wednesday it has received its new Fire Equipment Vehicle from the Danko Emergency Equipment Company.

This equipment vehicle was fully funded in April 2024 for $250,000 through the 2024 Michigan Treasury Department FDCVT grant. At the April, 2024 regular meeting, Village Manager Ian Lewis told the Council in his Manager’s Report that the village had received the grant.

In 2024, the Mich. Dept. of Treasury awarded $2.5 million in to 13 municipalities classified as financially distressed cities, villages, and townships. The grants were to support specific projects, such as public safety equipment replacement, or infrastructure improvements, designed to assist local governments in achieving financial stability.

Lewis said the new vehicle will replace the Laurium Fire Department’s 1983 Fire Equipment Vehicle and will be used to transport firefighters to fire and other emergency scenes, carry necessary equipment utilized on scene, help ensure the safety of all firefighters on active fire scenes and call-outs, and provide additional power to fire equipment when needed.

“We are so excited for the Laurium Fire Department in acquiring this vehicle,” Village Manager Ian Lewis said. “We also want to thank all of the LFD Firefighters for their dedication and service to our community.”

The Danko company is located in Snyder, Neb. and manufactures and sells firefighting and emergency vehicles to fire departments, rural fire districts, and governmental entities.