The Red House Volunteer Fire Department has placed an order for a new fire engine at the cost of $350,000.

According to firefighter and fundraising committee member, Larry Lambert, regulations state that the “first due” or primary response vehicle on calls should not be over 20 years old.

The new Pierce engine is expected to be delivered in the spring and will replace an engine that the department purchased in 1997.

The department currently has four vehicles used to respond to 60 to 90 calls each year. “We have a brush truck, an attack truck, a tanker and a pumper/engine,” Lambert explained. “This (new engine) will be replacing the pumper/engine as the first due apparatus.”

Payments for the new firefighting equipment will cost the department around $23,000 a year for the next 15 years, according to Lambert.

To help with fundraising, the department is sponsoring a family-friendly comedy act at Appomattox County High School on July 19 at 7 p.m.

James Gregory “The Funniest Man in America” will perform as part of the fundraiser.

Gregory has been a stand-up comedian for over two decades. During this time he has performed for hundreds of corporate clients, including Coca Cola, Hewlett Packard, Kimberly Clark, Kroger Supermarkets and the American Red Cross.

“I have lived long enough to know people, know life,” Gregory added. “My comedy is based on my life experiences. It’s real, it’s funny and the audience loves it.”

Tickets for the event are available at Ticketbud.com and proceeds benefit the Red House Volunteer Fire Department.