Gary airport purchases fire engine with hopes of expanding capacity
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
The Gary/Chicago International Airport has purchased a new, 3,000-gallon airport rescue and firefighting truck to add to its fleet of equipment that’s 20 years or older.
The new firetruck will be outfitted in the winter with two high-speed runway brooms used for snow removal. Those brooms cost $932,000 and $1.3 million, respectively, according to a news release from the airport.
“It’s exciting to see the airport rescue and firefighting truck physically here at GCIA and ready to be used,” Airport Executive Director Dan Vicari said. “Once in operation, the fire truck will expand the type of airplanes that can land at the airport. We are ready to see the growth this investment will provide.”
Airport officials say the truck was purchased using $2 million secured by Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-1) as 2022 Community Project Funding. An additional $6 million for airport infrastructure was been secured in 2023’s Community Project Funding budget, Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority Chairman Pete Visclosky said.
In addition to federal funding, equipment upgrades were supported by contributions from the Indiana Department of Transportation.
“This acquisition of a state-of-the-art fire engine will protect firefighters and demonstrate to airport tenants, current and future, that the Gary airport is poised for growth,” Mrvan said. “Public safety and a growing economy go hand in hand, and I will continue to work with all local stakeholders to support first responders.”
The purchase comes months after the Gary airport received $6 million in federal funding in support of air cargo infrastructure enhancements.