By SAMANTHA SARACINO
6 News Reporter
SWEETWATER (WATE) - The Christianburg Volunteer Fire Department in Monroe County was awarded a $225,000 grant by FEMA. The catch is that FEMA pays 95%, but the department has to pay the extra 5%, which comes out to about $11,000.
The department is getting its barbeque grills ready for their Wild Beast Feast and cornhole tournament on Saturday.
They aren't just looking for a good time, they're looking to raise some money, $11,250 to be exact.
"We're going to try not to let funding get in the way of us getting the truck. It's a once in a lifetime for this department to receive a truck for this nature. It's going to benefit everyone, and we're willing to put our necks on the chopping block to get funding for it," explained Fire Chief Tripp Hall.
He says a safer, more up-to-date truck is much needed as some of their trucks have seen better days.
There are four trucks in their fleet right now. Two of them are actually old Mayfield milk trucks. "It's a 1986 international Mayfield milk truck we converted. It has served the department well over the past few years. It's old and not so safe so we're happy to see it go," Chief Hall said.
The new truck will not only benefit the Christianburg Volunteer Fire Department, but also the surrounding departments in the area.
"A lot of times our rescue truck is the first out for mutual aid, but I'm pretty sure once we get this new truck that will change. We can definitely supply more water faster and help the other departments like they help us," said Katie Hall, EMS captain at the department.
The new truck is scheduled to arrive sometime in April, and the department hopes to have the entire $11,000 by then.
The Wild Beast Feast and Cornhole Fundraiser will be at the Christianburg Volunteer Fire Department Saturday, January 28 starting at 2:00 p.m.
If you can't be there but you'd like to donate, you can do so via PayPal on their website.
