Departments eligible for this program have to be recognized non-profit volunteer fire department operated by its members. Any part-paid and part-volunteer fire department with 20 or fewer paid members are eligible.

Chief John Soisson requested the state Highway Patrol inspect two of his trucks — the 1994 pumper/tanker and the 1985 Gruman pumper. After each vehicle failed to pass the inspections Friday, the chief immediately placed them out of service.

The truck was purchased through the Firefighter Property Program and converted into a fire truck by Chief Chris Moss and members of the department, according to a news release from the county. The Firefighter Property Program is part of the Department of Defense, allowing fire departments to obtain excess property to be used for firefighting and emergency services.

"As many of you are aware Long County is no stranger to brush fires," Moss said. "The overall price of this truck from start to finish was around $9,000. Similar brush trucks with fewer options start out at $180,000."

Last year the department also used SPLOST funds to replace one of the department’s class A engines after it became unrepairable and was in need of replacement.