This past winter was a particularly hard one for the Claysburg Volunteer Fire Company. Not only did they lose around $60,000 of fundraising during the pandemic they also lost their main engine.
Fire Chief Scott Eicher says that repairing the truck just wasn’t an option. “It had a major pump failure. The transfer case blew out, damaging the pump, we were looking at over $30,000 dollars to replace it for…almost a 30-year-old truck, its just not feasible, it just doesn’t make sense,” he said. “It’s just like an old car; you can put brand new tires on it but how long is it going to last, you know?”
Unfortunately, they had nowhere near enough money to buy a new one, which would cost nearly $400,000. However, Hollywood couldn’t have written a happier ending to this story.
“Between 125 local organizations, they’ve raised over $260,000 for us several of the industries, local industries, have contributed most of that money…which is going to greatly impact the price of the truck,” Eicher said.
With more than half the cost of a brand new truck in the bank, a state grant to cover the rest is within reach so they can get back to doing what they love and keep the community safe.
“We love what we do, we love serving our community and our outside areas, and we’re very passionate about it, and it shows.”
Chief Eicher says the new engine will arrive in the next 12-18 months.
