Georgia company sends broken trucks to N.C. fire department

The Fayetteville Observer reports Friday that Cumberland County's Westarea Volunteer Fire Department bought the 1998 pumper tankers in 2006 from Firehouse 66, a Georgia vehicle broker. However, the trucks don't work.

The department has tried for years either to get repairs or money from the company. After so long, the department wants a refund, said former Westarea fire board president Terrence Riley.

Westarea fire board treasurer Steve Blanchard says the department could run out of money by December if spending isn't controlled.

He has advised fire chiefs to staff trucks with minimal crews on calls within the district and suggested chiefs ignore call from outside the district unless mutual-aid agreements require the department to respond.

He says that ultimately, they want a refund from the Georgia vehicle broker.

Firehouse 66 also caused problems for the Woodsdale Volunteer Fire Department in Person County. The company took a long time to hand over the title to a $45,000 used fire truck, which also had missing and broken parts.

After 5 on Your Side got involved, the Firehouse 66 eventually turned over the title and gave Woodsdale Fire a $500 refund for repairs to the truck.

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Information from: The Fayetteville Observer