Homer Volunteer Fire Department firefighters are hitting the streets in two used fire trucks acquired from West Bryan County Fire Department in Mead. The trucks bring Homer VFD one step closer to compliance with insurance standards, which Chief Jeremy Burris said the department must meet by Dec. 5.
The trucks — a 1989 Pierce Arrow fire engine and a 1985 GMC tanker, capable of holding 3,000 gallons of water — cost the department $25,000, but Burris said they’re critical pieces of equipment the department has been trying to acquire for some time.
“I need to be able to have 4,000 gallons (of water) on the road, responding to any structure fire in our district,” Burris said, adding that the purchase of the tanker, combined with the department’s two existing brush trucks, will allow him to reach that goal.
The water capacity requirement is part of compliance standards set forth by the Insurance Safety Organization, commonly known as ISO standards.
Burris said the department wanted to purchase three trucks but couldn’t put the deal together fast enough to secure the third truck.
“I’m thankful for what we’ve got now,” he said. “With what we have, and the training we’ve got at the house, we’re going to be able to go forward as smoothly and as efficiently as possible.”
As much as Homer firefighters appreciate the trucks’ arrival, they know they still have work to do to reach compliance.
“I’ve got the water capability, but I’ve got to come up with four self-contained breathing apparatuses and four SCBA tanks for us to be 100 percent compliant with what’s required,” Burris said.
Burris said he is trying to find the best deal on the remaining equipment needed so he can present county commissioners with a request to purchase the tanks and breathing apparatus. He said the department has until Dec. 5 to get the equipment in place.