NATCHEZ — As part of a 10-year fire protection agreement with the City of Natchez, Adams County is purchasing a $524,980 fire truck.

Adams County Purchasing Clerk Frances Bell said the county is buying the brand-new truck, made by Pierce Manufacturing, from Emergency Equipment Professionals Inc.

The new truck will replace one that is more than 20 years old, said Natchez Fire Chief Oliver Stewart.

“Some of the trucks we have, they’re getting old,” Stewart said. “And so we need to replace one of them.”

Currently, Stewart said the city has six fire trucks, and two on reserve.

Stewart said it would take approximately eight months for the truck to be built, and it is yet to be determined which of the four city fire stations will house the truck.

“I’m looking forward to getting it,” Stewart said. “It’s something we need.”

One of the specifications for the new truck, Bell said, was a compressed-air, foam fire suppression system which allows fire fighters to handle types of fires that regular water will not extinguish.

This system, Bell said, will give the fire department the capability to control chemical fires.

“This will allow firefighters to contain chemical fires that might happen at the (Natchez-Adams County) port area,” Bell said.

The truck will also boast a 1,000-gallon tank, Stewart said.

Adams County Supervisor Darryl Grennell said the first of five payments wouldn’t be made until after the beginning of the next fiscal year, which begins Sept. 1.

“The (Adams County) board of supervisors is very happy in working with the city to ensure all residents receive the fire protection that they need,” Bell said.