ONSLOW – Burchell (Burt) Fulmore couldn't stop smiling Wednesday morning.
Every time the Economy Fire Brigade director and firefighter looked at the 1992 Chev Suburban first response truck, a grin appeared, along with a sense of thanks.
"We need all the help we can get," said Fulmore, of the vehicle given to the brigade for $1 from the Onslow Belmont Fire Brigade. "We've been struggling for years ... this is a big step forward. This will enable us to put equipment in it and go on side roads and other places members had to use their own vehicles before."
The Onslow Belmont fire department recently purchased a new Ford 2011 emergency medical response and forestry truck for about $90,000. It replaces the Suburban, which went to tender in the spring. The Economy fire department was the lone bidder, and even though the value of the Suburban was about $3,000, the Onslow Belmont department gave it to their Economy counterparts for $1.
"They are further out and don't have the tax base we have," said Onslow Belmont's deputy fire chief John McKay. "It's a good morale boost to members and the community to see we are not wasting money and we are helping other communities."
The donation helps because Economy's brigade has suffered financially for years, said Fulmore.
"Up until a few years ago we had an (operating budget) of $12,000 a year. It went up to $18,000 but 40 per cent ... went to insurance," said Fulmore.
About two years ago, the Municipality of Colchester County took over the brigade's insurance costs. And just recently the community's fire tax rate increased four cents per $100 of assessment, which costs that area's residents about $24 more annually. That, along with a special fire base level tax program, will double the brigade's annual operating budget to about $40,000.
The funds and new truck is great news, said county Coun. Tom Taggart.
"There's no question it ... it could be the difference between life and death," said Taggart. "That rural area has the lowest fire tax rate
and this is huge for them. It's critical to have professional, quality equipment because they are 40 minutes away from ambulance service."
The Economy fire department was established in the mid-1970s and has about 25 volunteer members. The department responds to about a half dozen calls a month. Onslow Belmont has 56 volunteer members.
The new vehicle compliments the brigade's 1984 Chev pumper and 1992 GMC pumper. With three vehicles, there is more work to be done, said Fulmore.
"We are now in a position to talk about an addition to the fire hall, which is required to house this third (vehicle)," Fulmore said.
Land adjacent to the fire hall was offered by a local citizen and plans are underway for that project.
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