SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. — For Zoneton Fire Protection District Chief Kevin Moulton, there was no hesitation in looking for a way to help fire departments affected by last month’s historic floods.
“That’s just part of the fire service and the brotherhood and the sisterhood. We take care of our own, so hopefully if we were in the same predicament of some sort, people would help us out,” Chief Moulton said.
The fire district has donated one of its trucks to the Wolf Coal Volunteer Fire Department in Breathitt County. Wolf Coal’s fire station was heavily damaged and suffered the loss of most of its equipment and trucks.
Chief Moulton explains the donated truck was built in the early 2000s and is nearing the end of its lifespan. There were plans to retire it in the next year, but this donation allows it to serve in a new role, protecting the community of Wolf Coal.
“We are not going to get a lot of money for used fire trucks. There’s not a big surplus or service out there for used fire trucks so being able to donate it, it’s a real pleasure and it’s humbling to do that,” Chief Moulton said.
Deputy Chief Tracey Key explains when their department first started in the late 50s, they too received donated equipment.
“So this is just an opportunity to pay that back, all the help we got all those years ago,” Deputy Chief Kay said.
This generous donation is an immediate help for a department that’s lost everything. While insurance will help replace other damages, it will take an amount of time that first responders just don’t have.
“If you start to finish on this one, paperwork and doing that, you’re roughly 12 months out, so at least now they’ve got something to be able to start responding to,” Chief Moulton said.
Crews from the Zoneton Fire District delivered the truck to the Wolf Coal VFD on Thursday, Aug. 18.
Fire departments from Mount Washington and Pleasure Ridge Park also chipped in to help Wolf Coal VFD. The two departments donated gear and supplies to be used on their new fire truck.