Arrival of 1000 feet of fire hose at the Marion fire department Wednesday completed the equipment of the new Marion fire truck recently purchased by the city council. The hose includes 600 feet of two and one-half inch hose and 400 feet of one and one-half inch hose. In addition to this hose which will be carried on the truck for fighting fires with water drawn from the water mains by the 500 gallon pumper with which the truck is equipped, the new truck carries 400 feet of one inch hose permanently attached to the 350 gallon tank of water carried on the truck itself. Exclusive of the truck-tank hose, the fire department now has more than 3000 feet of serviceable fire hose, but much of it is several years old. The new hose purchased with the truck is the first fire hose bought by the present city administration which took office over two years ago. Fire equipment funds expended during that time have been used to retire debts which had accumulated against the fire department, including more than $500 for some of the old hose which is still in use. Fire Chief Orlie Ing said that he had been advised by fire hose companies the prices of fire hose have advanced since the Marion purchase was made. Delivery of the hose was delayed by the demand for fire hose for the army, cities of the Atlantic seaboard, and for shipment to Great Britain which has also been responsible for the price Advance, it is said. A number of features on the new Marion truck, such as steel running boards, and certain aluminum accessories, are being discontinued on future fire trucks, according to the manufacturers, because of the shortage of the materials of which they are made.

(Extracted from local newspapers and compiled by Harry Boyd, posted at http://www.marionfire.us )