Overton Fire Departments To Receive Mini Pumpers Through State Grant

All 12 of Overton County’s Fire Departments are set to get new mini pumpers.

Overton County Fire Chief’s Association Chair Scott Ray said the county was able to purchase them through a grant opportunity and aid from the Upper Cumberland Development District. He said the mini pumper has a fire engine pump and hose with the capability to pump 200 gallons of water.

“It was very needed, some of the fire departments didn’t have mini pumpers they just had big fire engines,” Ray said. “And they had a hard time getting into fields and close to brush fire. And the departments that did have mini pumpers they were really old and needed to be replaced pretty bad.”

Ray said for all 12 pumpers, it will cost about $144,306. They currently estimate getting the pumpers closer to  January.

Ray said that this was the second year they had applied for the grant, but the first time they had received it. Ray said in addition to aid from the Upper Cumberland Development District, the county also received support from elected officials.

“John Mark Windle, Paul Bailey helped us a lot, County Executive Ben Danner played a big part in this he worked a lot of time with me trying to get this going and get set up for us,” Ray said. “And all the Overton County Commissioners have been really willing to help and went the extra mile this time and it really helped us a lot. I can’t say enough about our county we have a really good team here. “