One of Snohomish County’s rural, all-volunteer fire departments is getting a “new” engine with the help of some distant neighbors.
A 1991 Darley Pumper truck is being prepared for its future home on Hat Island. The island is in Possession Sound between Everett and Whidbey Island. It has a small year-round population as well as a number of weekend and summer homes.
Its fire department has an annual budget of around $70,000. Most of that goes toward insurance, training, equipment and maintenance, Fire Chief Michael Worthy said.
The island’s two fire engines are from 1980. A new model — which could run $700,000 — was not in the picture.