The volunteer fire department with 15 active members has already sold a 1998 diesel pickup that needed repairs to its cab, and firefighters are now working to sell a 1982 fire engine as they continue to seek donations to support their responses to 250 to 300 calls for service each year.

"We get a lot of our budget through fundraising … but it’s pretty much up to us to keep it running,” Speegleville VFD Assistant Chief Kevin Merritt said. “We are hoping with the sale of these two vehicles, we might get between $7,000 and $10,000 total."

The new brush truck is expected to cost between $50,000 and $55,000, Merritt said. While the ‘82 engine is memorable, the cost of repairs it would need to stay in service outweigh the benefits, he said.

The department purchased a used 2012 Pierce Dash engine from ARFF Truck Sales for $31,000. It was originally valued at $600,000. 

The truck, which was purchased in November, is fitted with a 750 gallon tank, a deck gun for more precise fire fighting and an extricator or “jaws of life.”