Fire department gets new compressor
PHIL CAMPBELL — Town councilmembers have agreed to purchase a new air compressor for the fire department.
Fire Chief Andy Marbutt said it will replace an older compressor which recently failed and “locked up.”
“What we’re purchasing is an Ingersoll Rand air compressor, which a lot of people consider top of the line,” Marbutt said.
The compressor is used for station work and routine maintenance, including powering tools and airing up truck tires.
He said the previous compressor had been in service for at least 15 years, adding it had been in the station “as long as I can remember.”
Marbutt said the new compressor is an 80-gallon unit capable of reaching about 175 pounds per square inch, which he said will be “leaps and bounds better” than the old compressor.
“It’s more than adequate for what we need right now, and parts are easy to get,” Assistant Fire Chief Shane Harbin said.
Town Clerk Virginia Burks said the air compressor will be purchased from Tractor Supply at a cost of $1,249.99,” she said. Burks said the compressor is expected to arrive in a few days.
Councilmembers also voted to reinstate the per-call reimbursement for volunteer firefighters, raising the amount to $15 per fighter for each response.
Mayor Greg Williams said the city previously paid $10 per call to help cover gas costs before the reimbursement was suspended.
He said the council looked at what other cities are paying, including Bear Creek at $15 per call and Haleyville at $20 per call, before deciding on the new rate.
Marbutt said the change will help offset the costs volunteers absorb when they respond.
“Being volunteers, we spend more money than we ever dream of making, because we don’t get paid anything,” Marbutt said. “This helps cover wear and tear on our vehicles and gas and oil and things of that nature,” Marbutt said.
He said the department has about 30 members on its roster and typically sees about 10 to 12 responders at a structure fire.
Looking ahead, Marbutt said the department is pursuing grants for additional equipment and vehicle upgrades.
Another goal is to replacing aging air packs. Marbutt said the fire department has prepared a FEMA grant application to cover the cost of this replacement equipment.
He said they have also looked at refurbished air packs as a backup option if the grant is not approved.
Two long-term goals, Marbutt said, are replacing the department’s oldest engine, a 1991 model, and upgrading a brush truc,k which is a 1986 Chevrolet pickup equipped with a smaller tank and pump.
Marbutt said the 1991 engine is in decent running condition but doesn’t have a recent pump test certification. It is used primarily as a wreck truck carrying extrication equipment.
He said the department currently operates eight vehicles, including four engines, two brush trucks and two rescue trucks.
