The City of Eatonton recently added a new truck to its fleet at Eatonton Fire Department. The shiny red Ford F550 “Rescue 1” pickup is being used by firefighters on medical and injury calls, vehicle crashes, and any other rescue work.
“It’s a very big asset because it makes our response time quicker and our tools easier to access,” EFD Chief Eugene Hubert said. “The fire department is very proud of it, and we are very thankful to Eatonton City Council for it.”
Eatonton City Administrator Gary Sanders said the truck’s $48,990 price tag was partially funded by Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax IX ($22,000) and State Fiscal Recovery Fund ($26,990).
The rescue equipment, including portable Sked stretchers, jaws of life, and foam for chemical or gasoline fires, was formerly stored on the department’s fire apparatuses but is now stocked on Rescue 1, which frees up space on the fire trucks and allows easier access for rescue workers.
Eatonton Fire Department has four certified EMTs and eight to 10 First Responders who assist the ambulance service and respond to emergencies, according to Hubert. They respond to approximately 50-60 such calls per month, “and that number seems to be growing more and more each day,” he added.
EFD Rescue 1 also has 4 Wheel Drive, allowing it to be useful in brush fires, behind houses or buildings, in muddy conditions and in the occasional ice storms that hit the city. Hubert said the smaller truck is easier to navigate the city streets, which also quickens response times.
Although the truck is an older model, almost 19 years, it is in mint condition and runs smoothly, Hubert said, noting it was found in and shipped from California.