News
Federal grant helps Russellville purchase brush truck
Posted on August 3, 2023
Originally published in the Times Daily.
A federal grant will allow the city’s fire department to purchase a new “quick attack brush truck” that can be used for a variety of purposes.
The vehicle will be purchased through the Department of Homeland Security FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
The grant was announced by the office of U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama, along with grants to other fire department’s in the state.
“I’m pleased to announce the two grants,” Aderholt said in a news release. “Russellville will receive a grant of $362,857.14.”
Russellville Fire Marshal Justin Green said the grant will cover the majority of the cost of the vehicle.
Mayor David Grissom said the city’s matching portion is $18,142.86.
“These funds were allocated in the Fiscal Year 2022 Department of Homeland Security budget, which I gladly supported with a ‘yes’ vote,” Aderholt said. “This type of funding has a direct impact on people in my district, from helping to lower homeowner insurance costs to, most importantly, helping to save lives and property.”
Green said the quick attack brush truck can be used to fight field or forest fires, but has more compartment space for carrying equipment.
“It looks more like a rescue truck,” he said. “It will hold up to 350 gallons of water, but we’ll probably not build it for that amount because of the weight. It will have a lot more compartment space.”
The truck does not have ladders or supply lines, he said.
Green said the truck is designed to allow the water turret on the front to operate while the truck is moving.
“That is actually a pretty big thing,” he said.
Grissom said the truck will fill some gaps.
“We have some brush units that have had some maintenance issues with them,” Grissom said. “We have some pieced together units. It’s time to go with something nicer.”
Green said a local committee will help decide how to configure the new truck and what equipment it should have.
“We’ve had a couple of manufacturers reach out to us,” he said.
Green said the truck can be used to fight grass fires and be available for special events like the city’s Watermelon Festival and Fourth of July celebration.
“We’re fortunate to get this and certainly thankful to Congressman Aderholt’s office,” Green said.
The Russellville Fire Department has two other fire engines on order, Green said. He said they were told it will take two years to fulfill their order.