When part of a road near Kingston washed away last month, North Kitsap Fire and Rescue warned residents along the road that emergency vehicles wouldn't be able drive to them until the road was repaired.
In these situations, North Kitsap Fire's boat could be key to providing emergency service to the district's 75 miles of shoreline, said Michele Laboda, the fire district's spokeswoman.
Thanks to a $409,813 federal grant and a $202,431 contribution by the fire district, a new and improved boat will be in service by the time it is christened March 12.
"It's like a fire engine on the water," said Lt. Ryan Buchanan, who is one of nine firefighters trained to use the new boat. All firefighters eventually will be trained, Laboda said.
A few more additions are needed before the new boat can go into full-time service, including mounts for more hoses and programming for the radio.
The 38-foot boat can reach up to 36 knots — about 41 mph — and has advanced technology, such as infrared, along with more fire hose connections.
Tuesday afternoon, the new boat was able to reach Point No Point County Park in less than 20 minutes from Appletree Cove in Kingston.
While the 27-foot boat the district has had since 2001 is smaller than the new boat, it's not as fast.