Sand Lake has a new fire engine thanks to a program overseen by the Kent County Fire Commission. Post photos by J. Reed.

It’s been a long time coming, but the Sand Lake Fire Department finally got its brand new engine with the help of Kent County.
All the fire departments in the county are on a rotation system, and each fire department gets a new engine every 17 years, with the county paying a portion and Sand Lake paying a portion. The department also gets the option to purchase the previous county engine.
According to Sand Lake Fire Chief Ed Holtzlander, the new fire truck costed $325,000. “It’s the first engine in the county with a clean burn diesel emission system,” he said.
The engine was designed for not only fire equipment, but also for rescue equipment, such as the Hurst tool.
The Sand Lake Fire Department consists of 20 volunteer firefighters covering two stations—one in the Village of Sand Lake, and one in Ensley Township, at Cypress and 120th. With the addition of the new engine, they now have two engines, two tankers, two grass rigs, and a rescue truck.
Holtzlander said that 1997 was the last time that they purchased a new fire truck.