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USDA grant helps fund new fire truck for Saunders firefighters
By REBECCA JACKSON, Smith Mountain Eagle
Saunders Volunteer Fire Company serves a diverse population, fighting a barn blaze one day, and the perhaps the next, a structure fire involving a multi-million dollar lakefront residence or a brush fire at Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Seven-hundred-fifty households depend on the volunteer firefighters serving with Saunders and the equipment they use, so receiving a $50,000 USDA rural development grant Monday toward the purchase of a new, $227,000 fire truck was reason for celebration.
Congressman Virgil Goode, Ellen Matthews Davis, state director for USDA Rural Development, Saunders fire chief, Eric Morgan, fire company president P.W. Morgan, and other federal, state and local officials gathered Monday at the fire house on Smith Mountain Lake Parkway near Mariner's Landing resort for a check presentation for the 3,000-gallon truck. The new truck, joining a fleet of eight, including two brush trucks, replaces a 1977, 2,500-gallon tanker truck that has reached the end of its useful life.
Bedford County contributed $140,000 toward the purchase of the new vehicle, and Saunders fire company came up with $34,791, according to P.W. Morgan.
Morgan, who works for the Blue Ridge office of the Water and Soil Conservation Service, and others from the fire department approached Arthur M. Powers, area specialist in rural development for the United States Department of Agriculture, about a possible grant earlier this year. It took only 90 days from submission of a completed grant application, and approval, which greatly pleased Morgan and his colleagues.
"Art Powers did a great job for us," Morgan said. "He gave very prompt attention to funds that mean a great deal for a small, rural fire department. Thanks to all, and the support we've been given."
"This is good for Bedford County and all of its citizens to get current equipment," said District 2 Supervisor Chuck Neudorfer, who helped usher through funding for the truck from the Bedford County Board of Supervisors.
Wind-whipped brush fires in February along Toler's Ferry Road and another location really put a strain on Saunders and its 30 firefighters, Neudorfer added. They were able to contain the fires with minimal property damage, despite gale-force winds.
"This contribution from the USDA can't help but boost morale of the department," founded in 1986, Neudorfer noted.
"This is one of Bedford County's 12 volunteer fire departments," added Jack Jones, director of Bedford County Fire and Rescue. "This fire company, which has everything from rural property to large Lake developments in its territory, has grown to meet the needs of a very diverse community."
"The new truck is already here on site, and ready to provide the community with improved fire safety," said Davis. "It is one of our highest priorities at Rural Development to assist first responder needs in the rural areas of the state and provide them with needed modern emergency equipment. This is taking your tax dollars to fulfill the needs you have in your community."
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