by MOLLY NATCHIPOLSKY
When you’re a rural, volunteer department serving a community without hydrants, and a very limited budget, finding the perfect pumper to complete your fleet can seem like a pipe dream. But when Lieutenant Gary Rose and the members of the Bethel (KY) Volunteer Fire Department found a 1992 Ford Pumper through Command Fire Apparatus they found everything they were looking for.
Although the department already had two pumpers and a 2,000 gallon tanker, they still needed another pumper. Rose had been looking at different websites and Command’s Facebook page. That’s when the pumper literally popped up.
“It was exactly what I wanted,” said Rose. “It has a regular cab that holds three people, which is perfect for us. Because we have to bring our own water, having this extra 1,000 gallons of water now is a huge help.”
He also was pleased that it’s easy to drive and everyone is comfortable with it. This is an important feature because, as Rose explained, being all volunteer means he doesn’t always know who will show up to a call so everyone has to be qualified on all the apparatus.
Rose also found Glenn Usdin and everyone at Command Fire Apparatus easy to work with. “They worked with us to make sure the pumper had everything we needed. They delivered exactly what they said they would when they said they would.”
And Command Fire Apparatus went beyond Rose’s expectations. During transportation, the back window was broken. Rose was told to go ahead and get it fixed and Command would pay for it. No questions asked.
“Everything was taken care of quickly. You can’t ask for better service.”
Rose said he would definitely work with Command Fire Apparatus again. He has also recommended them to other departments who are looking for used and reliable apparatus. “Their customer service was excellent. That went a long way in helping us make our decision.”
