Richland County community development director Valeria Jackson says that's why they decided to step in.

"I think it's important when all is said and done that the community's needs are being met," she said.

They started by giving a new truck to a Hopkins station using grant money. All the engines there were going on 20 years old.

"That information always stuck with our department," Jackson said. "And when we had the ability to fund a dire truck we thought, what better use of the funds?"

And they're not stopping there. The county will use general fund money to buy 10 more pumpers, 4 rescue trucks, 1 ladder and 4 tankers. 

The purchases were also made possible by a $70,000 rural fire truck assistance grant, according to Galey. Each truck costs the department $235,000, and it can’t be put off. The process of buying new fire trucks is necessary to maintain qualifications for fire insurance ratings.

New Sight Chief Corey Smith said their newest truck was 15 years old.

"It was time for an upgrade," Smith said. "We're proud of it. All our firefighters are proud of it, and it’s top notch. Anything we could have wanted, we got on this truck."

Zetus fire chief Dale Anding said they’ve been waiting for a new truck for a long time.

"This has been an eight-year ordeal getting this new truck in. We had problems with the state with funding. But we’re happy with what you got," he said.

Wilkinson said the cost of upkeep, storage and insurance on the truck was just too much cost to justify keeping it for a couple parade appearances a year, so the decision was made to sell the vehicle.

The city purchased the truck brand new from GM in 1969 and it stayed with the department since then.

Until a replacement is found, the department is loading its emergency gear into the bed of a ¾-ton pickup for emergency call, Berrier said.

A replacement truck will cost about $200,000, Berrier said.

No word on why the vehicles collided.