Number One Fire Dept. purchases new fire truck

The Number One Volunteer Fire Department announced the delivery of a new fire truck. 

The Department recently took delivery of, and put into service, a new fire truck to service the area of Sumner County between the cities of Gallatin and Hendersonville and to provide mutual aid support throughout Sumner County and both cities.

The new truck replaces a 20-year-old fire truck, keeping the two fire engines of the department in compliance with National Fire Protection Agency standards for fire equipment.

 “Our Department maintains an insurance rating equal to that of both our neighboring cities,” said Chief Ian Durham.  “Keeping our equipment updated is essential to our citizen response and the safety of our members.”  Updated equipment also translates to lower insurance ratings for the citizens in our service area.  The truck has 750 gallons of water and can pump up to 1,500 gallons of water per minute for firefighting.

This truck cost nearly $450,000, and after it is fully equipped, the value will be closer to $600,000.  It is the only fire truck in Sumner County equipped with Advance Life Support equipment, which allows an advanced level of care as the fire department awaits responding ambulances.  The engine is also equipped with the “jaws of life” and responds first to all motor vehicle accidents, in addition to all fire calls. 

Sumner County provides $14,000 annually to each county volunteer fire department, so the balance of the funding has to come from community support.  The department took out a $275,000 loan to purchase the engine. 

The Number One Volunteer Fire Department, at 1314 Douglas Bend Road in Gallatin, is an all-volunteer department with more than 30 members.  In addition to firefighters, many members are also first responders, EMTs and paramedics. 

For more information on the Number One Volunteer Fire Department, or to contact the department, visit NumberOneFire.org.