Edisto Beach residents have a lot to be proud of as they enjoy their new water treatment plant. But they also have a fire truck that has been revamped and look like new.
The Edisto Beach Fire Department needed some help in several areas.
First, the town’s water supply was inadequate. That was fixed by the construction of the new water plant and additional wells that were built to increase water supply and pressure.
But they also needed a new fire truck.
Imagine having a fire at your home, and after calling the fire department, a rusty, dented and scratched truck rolls up with some parts that don’t even work.
The old truck was no longer safe or worthy, and it needed a complete overhaul.
The town had just recently implemented two 15-percent rate hikes to pay for the $7.255-million revenue bond to repay for the water plant’s construction.
With a bond referendum in place for the next 30 years, there was no way the beach could afford a new fire truck.
The cost of a new replacement ladder truck of equal quality to the one they needed would be approximately $950,000.
A new truck was not possible. So, Fire Chief Denny Conley had to come up with another solution.
Why not refurbish the old truck?
Conley found a company, Brindlee Mountain Fire, that renovates old trucks.
Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus (BMFA) is one of the world’s largest used fire truck sales and service companies. Based just south of Huntsville, Ala., the company has over 50 full-time personnel dedicated to the refurbishment of used fire apparatus, along with the nation’s largest on-site inventory of used emergency fire apparatus. BMFA’s mechanics, who are EVT certified, perform pump tests, general repairs, preventative maintenance, and body, collision, and paintwork. They upgrade over 500 used fire trucks every year.
Conley took the truck to BMFA for a complete front-to-back renewal.
Unique additions of a bronze pump, stainless steel plumbing, and a permanent undercoating treatment were put in place on the rig during the refurbishment process to combat the effects of rust and corrosion from saltwater. Considering these factors, the price for replacement could have easily exceeded $1,000,000.
But the cost of the refurbishment by Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus was only $262,273, saving the Edisto Beach residents well over $737,727. The town couldn’t turn down an offer and savings of that magnitude.
“Brindlee Mountain completed this project with a high level of professionalism and proficiency with the quality of their work far surpassing our expectations,” said Chief Conley. “The town is more than happy with the refurbished truck, and they can feel safe knowing that this department is ready to fight fires and assist Edisto residents at any time.”
