Jefferson County ESD 3 donates a 20-year-old fire truck to Hunt firefighters to aid in their recovery from July Hill Country floods.
HUNT, Texas — First responders in Hunt will soon have a new fire truck after Jefferson County Emergency Services District 3 donated one of its engines to help the department recover from July’s deadly Hill Country floods.
The donation comes after Hunt firefighters saved lives during the July 4 flooding while their own station and equipment were destroyed. “We both received donated equipment from around the state, from around the region, from locally in Jefferson County. From air packs to fire trucks, to bunker gear, all types of things, and now it’s just our turn to pay it forward, and it means a lot,” said Jefferson County ESD 3 Fire Chief Phillip Kibodeaux.
The department’s Engine 31, which had been in service for nearly 20 years, was replaced with a new truck on July 1. Leaders said they saw an opportunity to give back by providing the older, but well-maintained, engine to Hunt.
Rich Courville, an ESD 3 board member, said Hunt’s fire department is still rebuilding. “A lot of the debris has been removed. They’ve got a lot of new gear in there and they’re turning wrenches and working on stuff and. And getting their department back together. So we’re gonna be proud to roll in there tomorrow with a piece of apparatus that they can use. I think it’s gonna be a great day,” he said.
The donation also includes surplus items Hunt firefighters may need, such as bunker gear and other equipment.
The fire engine is scheduled to leave Jefferson County at 4 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30 and arrive in Hunt that afternoon, officials said.