By By Adrienne McKenzie
Atmore citizens can now feel a little more at rest because of the newest fire truck at the Atmore Fire Department.
Atmore fire chief Gerry McGhee believes that it is good to upgrade the department's equipment periodically to ensure safety of the community, although there was nothing wrong with the old equipment. McGhee said that all of his trucks have passed the pump test.
The 1985 Hurricane fire truck, which carries 1,000 gallons of water, and pushes 1,500 gallons per minute, was bought from Brent Volunteer Fire Department, in Pensacola, Fla. McGhee stated that he got "good savings from the city" and that the department "got a really good deal" on the truck.
"We have a good working relationship with the fire departments in Escambia County, Fla.," McGhee said. "Brent Fire Department was upgrading their equipment, gave me a call and asked if we would be interested in one of their trucks and I couldn't turn it down."
McGhee said that all of the surrounding fire departments like to help each other because of the great relationships they have formed.
"We help them out and they help us out," McGhee said. "Just last week we had to help out Flomaton and also Bay Minette."
The fire department now has a total of four fire trucks, but McGhee believes that there can never be an overabundance of them.
"You never have too many trucks though," McGhee said. "You never know when you will have to help other departments, but you also want enough trucks for the city."