NEW HOPE - A cold and rainy spring day didn't dampen the spirits at the New Hope Fire Department's monthly chicken barbecue Sunday afternoon.

Chief Dennis Bell Jr. got to the firehouse bright and early to start the coals.

“I got here about 6:30 or so,” Bell said. “Some of the other guys started getting here between seven and eight and we lit the fires and got things started.”

The smell of the slow fire-roasted chicken drifted all over New Hope Road, a smell that has become a popular draw.

“We usually sell anywhere from 450 to 650 halves a month,” Bell said. “We usually have 200 to 300 reserved before we even begin cooking, so we do get quite a lot of people, it is good chicken I guess.”

The barbecues, which the department hosts once a month from April through October, are major fundraisers.

“We do a tractor pull in August too,” Bell said. “But this is a really big fundraiser for us. We've been doing this for quite a few years and people really seem to like the chicken and keep coming back to support what we are doing.”

Bell said that the funds raised from the barbecues go towards supporting the department's general fund and the upkeep and maintenance of their vehicles.

But this month's barbecue was about more than just the chicken. It was a chance for the department to unveil their new rescue vehicle.

New Hope, along with Sempronius and the West Nile departments, recently acquired new rescue vehicles after a year of planning.

“It has been about a year we've been talking about this,” said Pat Merical, district chief. “This has primarily been supported by the community and tax dollars. So we had to go to the community and get permission to use the money that we've saved in our accounts to buy these new vehicles.”

Merical said that it was important to make these upgrades.

“Most the time departments are going out on rescues calls,” Merical said.

“So with these vehicles they can carry more equipment and more crew. The old trucks would only hold two or three, but these can hold five seated safely to answer calls. That is the main thing that these vehicles are - safer. Safety is the biggest thing around here.”

New Hope's new vehicle was proudly displayed right in front of the department for all to see.

“We'll be putting it in service in the next few weeks,” Bell said. “We still have to get some things from the old truck on there, but it should be in service in the next few weeks or so.”

These new trucks are a big leap forward for the department.

“It really was time to upgrade,” Bell said. “The new one has four-wheel drive, which is a big thing around here, especially in the winter. We have a lot of back roads and lake roads that we answer calls on so that is a big thing for us around here and we can fit more equipment and be able to answer calls with these new trucks.”