Volvo Trucks’ New River Valley Plant Donates Fire Apparatus to Pulaski County

Volvo Trucks’ New River Valley plant announced the gift of a customized Volvo VHD fire truck to Pulaski County. The one-of-a-kind tanker truck, named “Tanker 33,” was built to provide fire protection for the New River Valley facility, based in Dublin, Virginia. The 43-foot long tanker is capable of pumping 2,000 gallons per minute and is equipped with foam dispensing capability. 

“All of us at the New River Valley plant are excited to present Tanker 33 to Pulaski County, as we follow the time-tested firefighter mantra of readiness in service to our community,” said Franky Marchand, vice president and general manager, Volvo Trucks New River Valley Plant. “We are thrilled that the craftsmanship of our people will provide fire protection across the county.”

The idea to build the fire truck was conceived in 2013 by the professional truck builders at the New River Valley plant as a way to provide additional fire protection for the facility. Several of the plants employees also serve their communities as volunteer firefighters, and their efforts led to the design and production of the custom fire truck. Tanker 33 was completed in 2017 and has served the plant since.

“Pulaski County is accustomed to Volvo Trucks contributing to the greater good of the community in so many ways, but it is instances such as this that go above and beyond what we would ever expect from our corporate citizens,” said Pulaski County Administrator Jonathan D. Sweet. “This gift is one that builds upon the fabric of our community and will provide enhanced support to our volunteer firefighters when responding to an array of emergencies, and these additional capabilities could help save lives and property.”

The truck will be stationed at the Newbern Fire House and operated by members of the Newbern Volunteer Fire Department. As the most capable fire response vehicle in the county’s fleet, the truck will increase firefighting capabilities. The Newbern Volunteer Fire Department serves as one of the primary responders for domestic, industrial and interstate fire response in the New River Valley.