A combination of church funds and community donations has allowed the Houlka Volunteer Fire Department to buy and outfit a used fire truck from Natchez Trace EPA, reports djournal.com.
The apparatus, a 2006 Dodge 2500 grass fire/rescue truck, has been in service for a few months and has seen steady action, officials say.
Last year an anonymous local church agreed to put $5,000 toward the purchase if the community would match it. Other local churches and businesses then raised an additional $7,500, and $2,300 more came from fundraisers and donations, according to the report.
The truck replaced a 1986 U. S. Forest Service apparatus, to which it will be returned.
Natchez Trace EPA was originally going to auction off the truck, but one department member who also works there was able to arrange the sale of the vehicle to the department for $1,000; the rest of the funds were used for equipment and such, the report notes.
With all the outfitting, the apparatus is able to go on fire and medical calls.