Cotaco VFD upgrades rapid response vehicles

By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Cotaco Volunteer Fire Department recently purchased four new vehicles at a cost of $545,000 to upgrade its fleet of rapid response vehicles.
One of the four is a 2009 model Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, purchased for $32,000. It will serve as an EMS response vehicle and will be used primarily to respond to emergency medical calls. It has a full complement of emergency medical equipment and supplies and was paid for with a combination of grant money and local tax revenues.
The other three vehicles are 2010 model Freightliner pumpers, designed for residential and commercial fire suppression They were built and outfitted by Sunbelt Fire, an E-One dealer located in Fairhope. The cost of the trucks was approximately $171,000 each, with half paid up front from local tax revenues and the remainder financed.
All of the vehicles are now in service and are being put to good use in serving the residents of the Cotaco Fire District, according to Michael Trosper, public information officer.
Cotaco VFD has stations in Cotaco and Valhermoso Springs and a volunteer staff of firefighters and emergency medical technicians totaling about 35. The radius of its service area extends five road miles from Cotaco.