Third time’s the charm for fire department grant

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
A third time to apply for a federal grant to buy a fire truck has turned out to be a charm for the Somerville Area Volunteer Emergency Services.
The volunteer fire department—one of the largest in the state—recently received notice of approval of a $187,970 Firefighters Grant, of which 5 percent is a local match. This is the third year in a row the department has sought the grant.
Congressman Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama, visited town hall recently to congratulate elected officials and fire department personnel.
SAVES board president Geoff Halbrooks said the grant will be used to buy and equip a 2005 model commercial cab four-door truck. It will have a 1,000 gallon water storage tank and a 1,500 GPM pumper. Bids will be let this week and delivery is expected in about six to seven months.
Daugette said the department currently has five fire engines, three rescue vehicles and one brush fire truck. They operate out of three fire stations. The newest engine is a 1997 model GMC that was totaled in a wreck in Louisiana. It was acquired from a dealer in Arab and rebuilt from ground up at a total cost of about $45,000.
Mayor Long said the town recently applied for a $60,000 sewer study grant and hopes it will be the catalyst needed to get a sanitary sewer system started.
The Somerville fire district is manned by 44 volunteers and serves an area that stretches from the Tennessee River to Oden Ridge and Cotaco to Hartselle. Volunteers respond to all medical emergencies as well as to highway accidents and fires.