Vale Fire Department seeks funds to rebuild
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CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. — A Carroll County volunteer fire department is rising from the ashes after being destroyed by arson. However, low funding could keep crews from gearing up anytime soon. An acre of land sits marked by pink stakes on Highway 114. Vale Fire Chief Ronnie Wade says this donated land is where the department’s new fire house is going. “We’re planning on starting ground work after the weather breaks up and the ground dries up some,” he said. The original fire house was destroyed by an arson in October. Wade said the department lost nearly everything. “The county has approved for us to get a new truck and tanker,” he said. Wade said the department will have to pay for materials to rebuild the fire house because they were not insured. He said the department was unable to afford the cost. He said he and other firemen will do the construction for free on the new building. “I built the last one, and it saves me on the cost,” he said. VFD currently has about $10,000 in its account. Wade estimates the fire department still needs an additional $10,000 for uniforms and gear, which Wade said will need to come from fundraisers and donations. “I’m sure everybody will contribute as much as they can, but $10,000 is quite a few dollars for a poor ol’ guy,” said longtime Vale resident Jim Turner. Turner said coming up with the needed funds will be challenging, but he says the community wants the fire department back. “People don’t appreciate it till they need it, but it is a very needed service,” he said. Donations to the fire department can be made under the Vale Fire Department’s name at any FirstBank locations.
