Thanks in part to a large federal loan, the Route 377 Volunteer Fire Department has recently received a new fire engine.
“This truck should last us up to 35 years in this community, and we are very excited to receive it,” said Danny Blevins, Route 377 training officer. “It’s very unique because it has a hybrid engine that’s rated for both structural and wildland fires.”
Blevins said “C-11” is very similar to the typical structural fire engine, however, this truck is four-wheel drive and has “pump and roll” capabilities.
Pump and roll means the truck does not have to be stationary and in pump mode to spray water like most structural engines.
“This is used for your wildland, forest-type areas you see around here such as the Daniel Boone National Forest,” he said. “We also kept it small so it can go down rural county roads.”
The truck has a turret mounted on the front bumper in which someone in the cab can control and shoot water nearly 30 feet ahead. The turret is a vital asset to wildland and brush fires.
Two additional hoses on each side of the engine can also be utilized while moving.
C-11 is on-line and able to make runs and strict training sessions are occurring for driving and pumping the new apparatus.
The truck replaced a 1977 MAC engine that Route 377 had since 1991.
“We are very blessed,” Blevins said. “This was one of a very few engines awarded through the firefighter assistance grant.”
The total price of the engine was $308,000. A 2016 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant secured $222,886 and another $75,000 in a loan came from the Kentucky Fire Commission. The remaining $10,677 came from local funding.
Blevins said he believes the department received the large grant due to their relationship with National Forestry in this region and the 2016 fires in Gatlinburg.
“We saw a lot of loss in that area where wildland fires went into the urban areas,” he said. “We know that can occur here and this gives us a great ability to fight back.”
The truck took about 18 months to build and was constructed in Lyons, South Dakota by Rosenbauer.
Route 377 VFD has 28 firefighters covering 40 square miles in northern Rowan County, mostly covering single-family homes with private woodlands and a large portion of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
The department works constantly with both state and federal forestry agencies to protect their district.
Blevins said he, along with the department, want to thanks those who made this acquisition possible, especially Rowan County Fiscal Court for their support.
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