Chief Johnson says old pumpers reaching end of life
Grantsville Fire Chief Dave Johnson says the GVFD is reaching a point where a new
pumper truck has to be purchased. Two of the current pumpers are 1973 and 1975
vintage, and a combination pumper/tanker, the latest owned by the department, is a
1989 model.
Johnson said the department is also "desperately in need" of a brush fire truck.
"We're not sure about how to raise money for a new fire truck," said Johnson. A
pumper truck recently placed in service by the Arnoldsburg Volunteer Fire
Department cost about $125,000. "It's a lot of money for us, particularly when we
have a debt on the new fire station, but these units are getting difficult to repair, near
the end of their life."
A flyer printed by the department this week says "We are the volunteers, the ones
you see running up and down the roads at all hours, day and night."
"We are the ones responding in your time of need. We fight fire, respond to car
accidents,
fight forest fires, respond to 911/EMS for assistance calls, deliver water to your
homes, and even get cats out of trees, sometime."
The department plans on having some fund raisers soon and is asking for public and
business donations for the new truck fund. Donations can be mailed to GVFD Truck
Fund, P. O. Box 440, Grantsville WV 26147.
The department is also organizing a new Firefighter I and II class for new or
prospective firefighters in the area. The course will be taught by RESA-V instructor
Terry Brown. Phone 304-354-6566 and leave name and number.
Chief Johnson celebrates #41 this week, without
his customary profile photo
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