The Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company (Reese VFC) made a unanimous decision to donate retired Engine 92 to the Fulton County Fire & Rescue (FCFR) in Fulton, Kentucky during our Company meeting last night--- BUT needs the help of the Community to make this donation happen!

Fulton County Fire & Rescue (formerly Cayce Volunteer FD) was devastated by the tornado that ripped through southwestern Kentucky on Friday, December 10th. Their entire fire department structure was ripped to shreds, leaving only crinkled steel and mangled apparatus in the wake of the tornado. All equipment and four fire trucks were a complete loss, but thankfully none of the firefighters were injured, though two of them lost their homes.

“With their building and apparatus destroyed, we wanted to help our brothers and sisters to the south” stated Reese VFC Chief Ken Hyde. The former Reese VFC Engine 92 is a 2000 Ferrara Inferno Custom Pumper with a 1,000-gallon tank and less than 45,000 miles on it… “it still has a lot of life left in it, but due to NFPA Standards, we can no longer utilize it in the State of Maryland- it makes perfect sense to donate it to Fulton County Fire & Rescue, who can use it,- especially in a time of great need.” Hyde said.

We have been in communication with Fulton County Fire & Rescue Chief Wade Adams, to learn more about their fire department how Reese VFC could help. This is we know:

Fulton County Fire & Rescue is approximately 35 miles southwest of Mayfield (KY) and serves a rural community of approximately 1,500 in southwestern Kentucky. The company has 23 volunteers who provide emergency support services to the surrounding community. Fortunately, fire crews in neighboring counties have stepped up to the plate to help cover the area and loan the department equipment however, FCFR has no resources left of their own.

Chief Adams is grateful for the support of the community, the state of Kentucky, and the entire country. “It has really changed this community, the outpouring of love, from people we don’t even know," Adams said.

It is important to note, that while Fulton County Fire & Rescue is a County Fire Department, it is not funded by the County, so Reese VFC is trying to pack the engine with donated Fire/Rescue supplies, (hose, tools, appliances, etc.) in addition to assist their community with items of necessity.

Reese VFC has established the “Reese VFC Engine for Fulton Kentucky" aka "Reese VFC Little Engine that Could” Fundraising Campaign to assist with raising funds and have started a #GoFundMe campaign. Monetary donations will help with the transport of the engine, and remaining funds will be donated to Fulton County meaning that they will make an impact, not only locally, but in Fulton County, KY as well.

Donations can be made via check made payable and mailed to Reese VFC 1745 Baltimore Blvd. Westminster, MD 21157 or electronically via a GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/d71a74e9) established specifically for this purpose. If mailing a check, please be sure to note that it is for the "Fulton Co. Engine Donation"!

For further information please contact Reese VFC Chief Ken Hyde or Chair of the Board/ PIO Kati Townsley.