August 12, 2025 - Two grass trucks, 405 and 406, utilized by the Center Fire Department recently had their fire suppression equipment refurbished due to a generous grant awarded to the Center Volunteer Firefighters.
Del Birdwell, Center Volunteer Fire Chief, shared that the Bonehill Foundation awarded a total of $30,000 to the volunteers for repairs to two of their grass trucks. Both of the trucks are 2004 models and are used often.
According to Birdwell, one truck had already been having multiple problems before the firefighters responded to a fire at Bonehill Hunting Club in 2024. While they were fighting that fire, their other grass truck began having problems with the motor on its pump.
“We had some problems out of that truck with the pump that day, because of Shelbyville it wasn’t a problem we got everything knocked out. Shortly after that Bonehill Foundation donated us $25,000,” said Birdwell.
With the $25,000 donation the department was able to buy a brand new skid unit, which is an all one piece unit including an all brand new tank, pump and motor.
Birdwell explained that the volunteers had voted to spend $5,000 on a pump and motor combination for the other truck, 406.
“In between me getting it ordered and our meeting Bonehill Foundation came back with another $5,000 and we put a brand new pump and motor on [that] one,” said Birdwell.
The work being done on the two trucks has essentially given the department two new grass trucks, one with a 250 gallon tank and the other with a 300 gallon tank, according to Birdwell. He said. the department is also in the top ten in the state to possibly receive a grant for another grass truck.
In addition to the $30,000 donation to the Center Volunteer Fire Department, they also gave Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department a $10,000 donation.
“We’re very fortunate we got that,” said Birdwell.
