La Follette Fire Department’s new fire engines roll into town on Tuesday morning

VERY TOP PHOTO: Being on crutches wasn’t keeping Chief Jimmy Pack from accepting keys to the two new fire engines delivered Tuesday morning to Fire Station One

Members of Captain Dusty Davis’ “A” Shift and city leaders were on hand to take delivery of the two new units Tuesday morning at the main fire station. Left to right are Josh Miracle, Sam Finley, Jason Seiber, Tim Frazier, Eric Mathias, Dusty Davis, Lisa Pack, Jimmy Pack, Cliff Jennings, Keith Fraley, Terry Sweat, Barbara Wilson and Judy Brown.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- A crowd of firefighters, city officials and onlookers anxiously awaited the arrival of two new fire trucks due at La Follette’s main fire house on Tuesday morning. Just before 11am, shiny new LFD Units 103 and 105 rolled up beside the fire house.

It takes a year for a fire truck to be assembled, and the process of getting these new trucks took the better part of two years.

“I thought we already have units numbered 103 and 105,” Barbara Wilson asked. Chief Jimmy Pack quickly said, “You’re right.” However, the chief explained to the City’s Administrative Assistant that these units are replacing the current 103 and 105, old units. “We’re trading those in,” added the chief.

La Follette Mayor Cliff Jennings signs paperwork officially taking delivery of the two new fire trucks.

“This is the first time the City’s purchased two new fire trucks in the same year since 1985,” said Chief Pack. These two units are replacing trucks, though still very sharp looking trucks, that are more than 20 years old, according to Pack.

Unit 105 replaces the current 105.

The new trucks were assembled by Safe Industries out of South Carolina, according to Terry Sweat, Director of Finance for the City. “The total price for these two engines comes out to $1,497,404.80,” said Sweat.

LFD’s old unit 103 was traded for this brand new unit.

“It’s certainly a help to the department helping it to be more efficient. Oh, and it helps our citizens on their homeowner and business insurance,” said Mayor Cliff Jennings. The City’s fire service rating is 4 compared to a rating of 7 at one time, according to Chief Pack. The lower the rating, the better for the citizens. “That’s come a long way in my 40 years,” said Jennings.

Notice the jump seats to the right in the back portion of the new fire truck’s cab.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-11/27/2024-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)

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