Rescue Squad to Get City Fire Department Service Truck

The Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad will soon be getting another vehicle thanks to the DeKalb County Government and the City of Smithville.

During Monday night’s monthly meeting, the Smithville Aldermen voted to sell the City Fire Department’s 1980 service truck to the county for $4,000. The truck will go to the Rescue Squad for its operation.

Last week, the county commission voted to spend up to $4,000 for the purchase of the truck to be used by the Rescue Squad if the city were willing to sell it at that price.

Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker said plans were to market the service truck using an on-line service. Although the city might have been able to sell the truck for a much higher price through that venue, Chief Parker said he had no problem with the city selling it to the county for the Rescue Squad to meet their needs.

City officials view this move as a donation on the part of the city to the Rescue Squad by passing up its chance to get more money for the truck in advertising it for sale

Since the Rescue Squad serves Smithville as well as DeKalb County, the city fire department may still request use of the service truck periodically should the need arise according to Rescue Squad member Joe Johnson.