READINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Readington Township has added a new high-water rescue vehicle to its emergency response fleet, improving the township’s ability to respond to flooding emergencies while saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars compared with the cost of similar vehicles, according to Deputy Mayor Vincent Panico.
The vehicle, a reconditioned military truck purchased from Memphis Equipment Company for $52,000, was customized by township personnel and local vendors to meet Readington’s emergency response needs.
According to Panico, other communities have spent between $280,000 and $330,000 on similar high-water rescue vehicles. By purchasing and modifying a reconditioned truck, Readington avoided that level of expenditure, representing a difference of approximately $228,000 to $278,000 before accounting for customization costs.
The new vehicle is intended to help emergency responders reach people stranded by floodwaters in areas where conventional emergency vehicles cannot safely travel.
Panico identified several flood-prone roadways throughout the township, including Route 22 at Van Horne Road, Pleasant Run Road, Rockafellows Mill Road, Lamington Road and Barley Sheaf Road.
During Hurricane Ida in 2021, Readington emergency responders conducted 44 water rescues. Another 10 water rescues were performed in 2023, highlighting the township’s continued vulnerability to flooding.
The high-water rescue vehicle is designed to provide emergency personnel with additional access during severe weather events when rising water makes roads impassable.
Panico said the project involved extensive planning, training and in-house fabrication, allowing the township to expand its emergency response capabilities while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The effort also relied on cooperation between township employees, local businesses and neighboring emergency services agencies.
Panico credited Readington Township Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Christopher Szymanski, the High Water Vehicle Committee, township personnel, local vendors and neighboring emergency response agencies for their contributions to the project.
Panico said the new vehicle represents a cost-effective investment in public safety that will better prepare Readington Township for future emergencies while demonstrating the value of teamwork, careful planning and innovative thinking.
