MARION — Five years and dozens of fundraisers later, the Marion Fire and Rescue Squad has received its newest and best equipped dual purpose truck, the only one of its kind in the state.
Friday in Marion, Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina attended the dedication of the new truck, purchased with money from a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, a USDA loan and money raised by the rescue squad.
Because the $461,000 state-of-the-art truck is, in part, designed by the rescue squad members and fire department employees, the truck is the only one of its kind in South Carolina, Gerald said.
About five years ago, Marion Fire Chief Alan Ammons said, after responding to a wreck, he and Marion Mayor Bobby Gerald discussed the idea of having a truck that could help with rescue efforts and help put out fires.
Until now, Ammons said, a fire truck and a rescue truck is dispatched to the scene of a wreck.
The truck meets the needs of the city as a fully-equipped service unit, he explained, and meets the needs of the rescue squad as a fully-equipped rescue truck.
“This saves the taxpayers (money), as it eliminates the duplication of services to citizens,” Ammons said.
The USDA grant is for $131,000, the USDA loan is for $194,000 and the Marion Rescue Squad cash match and equipment is valued at $155,000.
The Marion Rescue Squad has about 30 volunteers. Marion has nine full-time firefighters and about 25 volunteers.
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