That is how Leesburg Fire Chief Joe Sonaty described the department’s latest acquisition, a new 2005 Freightliner truck from Sunbelt Fire, which was purchased through a $153,000 Homeland Security Grant and matching funds provided by the fire department. The E1 truck, with a Mercedes-Benz 300-horsepower engine, arrived Wednesday, May 25.
Leesburg Mayor Ed Mackey, town Councilmem-bers, local firefighters and family members gathered for a combination celebration with refreshments and training session to officially launch the newest truck into service.
“We’ve been working on it for more than a year,” said Mayor Mackey. “Cong. Mike Rogers was instrumental in getting these funds. East Alabama Planning and Development Commission helped us out. We attended grant writing seminars and our town clerk, Jennifer Sharpe, did a lot of the paper work online. This is something we have been looking forward to. We couldn’t have done it without the Department of Homeland Security and the efforts of Cong. Rogers, Sen. Richard Shelby and Sen. Jeff Sessions. We’re very fortunate to have a truck like this.”
Chief Sonaty said the cost of the truck, which can carry up to 1,000 gallons of water, was around $173,699, leaving some $20,000 for the fire department to pay. Fortunately, thanks to ad valorem tax proceeds, the fire department was able to provide the matching funds with little or no difficulty.
Prior to the truck’s arrival, Leesburg Fire Department’s newest vehicle was a 1973 model. Chief Sonaty noted that the truck arrived at least a month early, which made for a nice surprise for all. Leesburg ordered the truck in November.
“Now we get to train on how to operate it,” said Sonaty. “We are tickled to death. This will be a good chance for the citizens to see their tax dollars at work. Those advalorem tax revenues have gone a long way toward helping these fire departments serve the people.”
As part of the celebration, several children got the opportunity to ride in the fire truck. Brandy Pierce, assistant fire chief and member of the Leesburg Town Council, stated that all firefighters were to receive training and become certified to drive the new truck the day it arrived.
The Leesburg Fire Department currently has 25 firefighters. The department has six vehicles, including three pumpers, one tanker, one service van and one brush truck.
“We want to really thank Mayor Ed Mackey and the Leesburg Town Council,” said Sonaty. “We are now sitting pretty. We probably have one of the best equipped fire departments in the county.
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