After receiving several federal grants to purchase equipment, the Henrietta (Tenn.) Volunteer Fire Department decided to share its wealth with a less fortunate fire department. On Aug. 31, the department donated its 1968 Ward LaFrance pumper, used SCBA and other equipment for $1 to the newly formed Pleasantville (Tenn.) Volunteer Fire Department.

A small rural fire department in Cheatham County, Henrietta VFD has two fire stations, staffed by 20 volunteers, according to Henrietta’s Chief Jeff Bagwell. The department received a 2003 FIRE Grant to buy a new rescue pumper and a 2002 FIRE Grant to buy large-diameter hoseline, SCBA and new personal protective equipment. Two years ago, it also received a Community Development Block Grant to equip its second station with used two used fire trucks and related equipment. "These grants have made a tremendous impact on our ability to serve our citizens, and we feel very blessed to have received them," said Bagwell.

Pictured from left with the donated 1968 Ward LaFrance engine are Henrietta VFD Asst. Chief Michael Dollar, HVFD Chief Jeff Bagwell, Pleasantville VFD President Jerry Kelly, PVFD Member Gaylon Kelly, and PVFD Member Damon Williams.

The 1968 vintage pumper, affectionately called “The Boss” by Henrietta’s firefighters, had served the department for more than 20 years before being replaced. Firefighters felt she had too much life in her to be retired, but the department no longer had space for her in its apparatus bays and the insurance costs alone were too much for the department to maintain.

Henrietta had decided it had no choice but to sell the old engine. Pleasantville firefighters from Hickman County came to look at it in June. “During their visit with us, I saw and felt their desire to serve their citizens, but their lack of funding, created a major hurdle for them. I decided that since we had been blessed with the FIRE Act, and the CDBG grants, that we were in a position to help a department in need,” said Bagwell. “I was able to convince our Board of Directors that we needed to help this new fire department in every way we could.”

The 25 members of the newly formed Pleasantville VFD had only a 1972 GMC fire truck to cover its response area, about 25 square miles of rural Hickman County. Funded solely on donations, it could not afford to purchase another truck, and were also in need of basic firefighting equipment.

On June 26, 2004, after test driving and pumping the old fire engine, Pleasantville firefighter Damon Williams said they quickly realized that “The Boss” was far superior to their existing 1972 GMC pumper.

On August 31, the firefighters of Henrietta and Pleasantville met once again to complete the sale of the old fire engine. When the Pleasantville volunteers arrived, expecting to only take home the old pumper, they were surprised to discover the truck’s compartments loaded with firefighting equipment.

When they volunteers left the Henrietta community, Pleasantville firefighters had not only an additional fire engine, but also had 13 SCBA, 24 extra SCBA air bottles, various hose fittings and adaptors, fire coats, fire boots, helmets and an array of training manuals.

“The Pleasantville VFD was founded on neighbors helping neighbors,” said Pleasantville Fire President Jerry Kelley. “I would like to thank my neighbors in Cheatham County for helping us. This gives us two trucks to service our community, and provide mutual aid to our neighbors. I certainly want to thank many times over the Henrietta Volunteer Fire Department for their support.”

Henrietta Volunteer Fire Department’s Chief Jeff Bagwell (right) and Pleasantville Volunteer Fire Department’s President Jerry Kelley exchange the old fire engine’s title and the payment of $1.