The Bassett Volunteer Fire Department unveiled its newly acquired ladder truck during the Nov. 22 Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting, marking a significant upgrade after retiring its 30-year-old predecessor.
Fire Chief Junior Lynch credited the acquisition to financial support from the county and state. “The board financed $1 million for the new truck,” Lynch said. “Then we received some state funds that we receive on a basis to buy fire trucks. It was our turn to receive those, which was about $220,000, so it ended up being a little over $1.2 million, and the truck came in right at $1,180,000.
The remaining funds went toward equipping the truck to meet National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standards. “They have a list of equipment for that truck that’s required to meet their standards,” Lynch explained, noting the purchase of tools like power saws and water supply appliances.
The department received the new truck just over two weeks ago. While it has responded to one call since its arrival, it has not yet been used for active firefighting. “It was a structure fire that we didn’t need to use it, but it is in service now,” Lynch said.
The previous ladder truck, purchased in 1986, had become costly to maintain, with approximately $75,000 spent on repairs over the past decade. Lynch expressed confidence in the reliability and advanced technology of the new truck.
“It was getting to the age where it wasn’t really reliable. Now we have a truck that has more modern technology, and of course it has a warranty that will cover anything that happens in the next few years,” Lynch said. He added that warranties on various components range from one year to as many as 10 years.
Lynch expressed gratitude to Henry County for its role in securing the new vehicle. “Hopefully, the new ladder truck will last as long as the other one. Hopefully, it lasts 30 years,” he said.
The previous ladder truck, funded by contributions from local businesses such as Bassett-Walker, Bassett Furniture, Stanley Furniture, and Hooker Furniture, cost $286,000 in 1986. Today, prices have surged dramatically.
“It’s crazy,” Lynch said. “Since we took delivery of this truck, when we signed the contract three years ago, it was $1.2 million. To get the same truck today is about $2.2 million or $2.3 million. It’s almost doubled in price in three years. It’s mind-blowing.”
Despite efforts to sell the old truck through a dealer, it remained unsold for a year. Instead, it was sold to a local metal recycler who now uses it in the salvage yard.
“We hated for it to go to a salvage yard, but they are getting some use out of it,” Lynch said.
