Published: July 02, 2008 05:04 pm         

Morris receives new fire truck this week

By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



The city of Morris received quite a large package this week.

Dwight Calloway with Pro-Fire Equipment, LLC, of Pelham, delivered a 2008 Pierce Contender pumper to Morris City Hall Monday morning.

The engine is the first new fire truck that the city has received in 28 years, according to Morris Fire Chief Ryan Alexander.

Morris will now put out of service an older engine, so the city will still have two engines and a rescue truck.

“This will be a boost in morale for the firefighters,” said Morris Mayor Craig Drummonds, who served as Morris’ fire chief from 1998 to 2004. “This is an up-to-date engine that will give us more firefighting abilities.”

Alexander agreed that the new engine will be a huge boost to the city. He said the volunteer fire department averages about 200 fire calls a year.

There are about 15 volunteers with the department, including assistant chief Charlie Robertson, who did most of the work to attain funds for the fire truck.

According to Robertson, the city received a $227,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The city of Morris was required to match 5 percent of the grant, or $11,350.

Robertson said that bids ended this week for additional equipment for the truck, including hoses, small tools and updating air packs.

Alexander said he is especially proud of the bell mounted at the front of the truck.

“The whole truck was designed around that bell,” he joked.

The department also came up with a color scheme for the truck, which is red and black.

The truck has a 1,250 gallon-per-minute pump and a 1,000 gallon tank.

It also has a built in foam system, which is used to fight fuel fires and other fires in which water would only spread the flames.

“Our engines have been 20 years old or older,” said Drummonds. “Over the last 20 years, technology has changed so much. This truck will definitely give us more firefighting capability.”