Hog Chain Volunteer Fire Department will soon have a new firetruck, county officials said.

Clifford Galey, Lincoln County fire coordinator, said thedepartment will purchase the $157,000 1,250 gallon fire truckthrough a $50,000 Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Programgrant. The department will fund the difference throughfinancing.

The new truck will replace a 1980 model 1,250 pumper that waspurchased from another fire department about 10-12 years ago, hesaid.

The Hog Chain truck is the latest in a string of pumperspurchased through the state program. Heuck’s Retreat VFD received a1,250 gallon truck last year and Bogue Chitto received one twoyears ago.

Each department has managed to finance the difference betweenthe grant and purchase price through their own funds, Galey said,and has received no funding directly from the county.

“This program is a great benefit for the county,” Galey said.”As long as we can continue to get trucks through this program, thecounty does not have to purchase a truck outright.”

New fire trucks accomplish two goals, Galey said.

They ensure the departments have the best possible equipment andthey improve the chances of the department receiving a lower firerating, he said. A low fire rating increases the discounts frominsurance companies and saves the taxpayers money.

“The number one thing is that it makes the equipment moredependable by taking age out of picture, and it helps with the fireratings,” he said. “Some departments are trying to lower thatrating right now.”

The purchase was approved by the board of supervisorsMonday.

Galey, who also directs the Lincoln County Civil Defense, saidhis agency should purchase new equipment soon also.

Civil Defense received two campers in 1999 from the state andconverted one in a mobile command post.

“It has some radios and a generator, but we still need someequipment,” Galey said. “We have communications equipment in thecommand post, but that’s about all.”

The board Monday approved a recommendation by Galey to sell thesecond camper, which was not being used, and use those funds to buyadditional and necessary equipment for the command post.

The equipment would include a trailer for the generator, outdoorspotlights, ladders, and other items that be useful on a disasterscene, he said.