Whenever the Big Island Fire Company gets called out, Engine Two is first to respond.
"We love the truck," said Big Island fire chief, Brandon Cocke. "It's the best driving truck we have."
The department bought the truck four years ago. It was used, but it came with a great story.
"On 9-11 it was activated in DC to answer fire calls and it responded to the Pentagon," Cocke said. "It meant something to us, because it had been put through the paces and was a worthy truck."
Worthy, but not without problems. It needed a new pump and a new transmission.
"For the price they were asking, it was livable," said Cocke.
The truck cost $25,000, a great deal when you consider a new truck can cost $500,000.
But there was another small problem.
"There was some rust on it," said Cocke.
That didn't seem like a bid deal at the time.
"It was nowhere like it is now," said Cocke.
Now there's rust all over the truck, along the base and inside doors. The problem is so bad that every time the fire department goes on a call, part of the body flakes off.
"It's allowing moisture into our compartments and it's contaminating our equipment," Cocke said of the rust problem.
Much like an out-of-control fire, the rust is growing rapidly.
"If we don't get it fixed pretty soon, the rust will spread to the point where some of the compartment doors won't close," said Cocke.
There is a fix, but it will cost the department a lot of money; almost as much as it cost to buy the truck.
"If it was left up to us, we wouldn't be able to do it," said Cocke.
Donors are stepping in to help. The Virginia Corvette Club is holding a car show next month to help the fire department.
The event is May 26th at Royal Auto Credit in Forest. 100-percent of the proceeds will go to the Big Island Fire Company.
