HASTINGS, Neb. — An Adams County fire department is hosting a fundraiser this weekend to help pay for new rescue equipment.

The First Annual Hastings Rural Volunteer Fire Department Fundraiser is Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the station south of Hastings. The event will include yard games, a kids obstacle course, raffle, silent auction, free will donation meal, and a smoke simulation trailer.

Captain Tyler Herman says the money raised will go towards modernizing the department’s rescue equipment.

“We want it to be battery operated because we don’t want to have to rely on a gas engine, per se, that might not want to start in the moment of an emergency," Herman said. "As many know, seconds count.”

Hastings Rural Fire also hopes to buy at least three new AEDs.

One of the highlights of the event is the new truck push in ceremony set for 1:30. 

“The kids love it. We get to wash the truck, wash the tires, give it its initial fill of water," Herman said. "We’ll have a blessing for the truck and everyone can assist, in a sense, pushing it back into the station.”

The tanker has been with department since last fall and holds 3300 gallons of water.

Hastings Rural Fire covers 151 square miles and responded to 231 calls last year.