HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) - Three new brush trucks joined the Hawaii Fire Department’s fleet after a blessing held on Monday.

The county said the new Ford F-450 brush trucks will be assigned to volunteer fire stations in Hawaiian Acres, Naalehu, and Discovery Harbour.

The new trucks will replace vehicles that have been in service for up to 45 years, which were used to respond to brush, residential, and vehicle fires in remote and rural areas of Upper Puna and Kau.

“These vehicles will allow our volunteer firefighters to meet national safety standards, respond faster, and operate more safely in rugged and remote terrain,” said Fire Chief Kazuo Todd.

The county said the trucks cost over $625,000 and were funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

“These new brush trucks are made

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