PCVFD receives new fire truck
PHIL CAMPBELL – The Phil Campbell Volunteer Fire Department received a welcome donation on Tuesday from fellow firefighters who were glad to lend a helping hand.
The Gadsden Fire Department donated a fire truck to Phil Campbell that Harlan Hutcheson, executive director of the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs, said had an estimated value of $50,000 to $60,000 if Phil Campbell would have bought the truck used.
“I knew this truck would be going into surplus soon and we could have just sold it, but I wanted it to go to a community who could really use it,” Gadsden Fire Chief Steve Carroll said.
“I asked Harlan if he could get it on the website for the Fire Chiefs Association and we had several requests.
“[Phil Campbell] Chief [Mike] Rice’s letter he sent requesting the truck went a long way in making the decision of where to donate the truck. We felt Phil Campbell, after everything they’ve been through, could use this truck the most.”
Rice said he was so appreciative of the Gadsden Fire Department’s generosity in allowing them to have this truck.
“This was definitely something our town needed and it will be a real asset to our fire department,” Rice said. “This truck will help us provide better coverage to the people in the area we serve. I just want to thank Chief Steve Carroll, the city of Gadsden and Harlan Hutcheson for making this all possible.”
Hutcheson said he knew Phil Campbell could use the truck and was glad the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs could play a role in seeing it though.
“The Fire Chiefs Association in our state and in others have all stepped up to help those departments in need,” Hutcheson said.
“Three truck have come through the association so far, one of which was donated to Hackleburg, and we’ll be donating another one soon.”
Carroll said the community pitched in this past weekend to make sure the truck was washed and waxed before the presentation. He also said Simmons Sign Company in Gadsden created the lettering for the side of the truck that already bared the Phil Campbell name.
“We’re just glad we could do this,” Carroll said.
“As good as it feels to get something, this feels just as good to give something to someone who needs it.”
