More Ground for Volunteer Fire Departments to Cover

As the embers still smolder from the fire that destroyed a multi-million dollar home in West Pulaski County, one of the volunteer fire departments on the fire says even more adequate equipment wouldn`t have helped them. Firefighter Tom Kessler, West Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department, says the fire was hard to fight because of the size of the house and the involvement of the flames by the time they arrived. Chief Tom Caton says more adequate equipment would help them save more homes. "Station 4, their equipment was not new by any means. And it`s not unusual for a piece of equipment to malfunction, especially on a fire that magnitude," Caton said. "We do have a ladder truck...it is a 1963 model, so that just gives you an idea of the equipment we have to operate with," Kessler said. West Pulaski is already the biggest volunteer department in the state with four stations and over 160 square miles, but more new homes sprouting up gives them more houses to take care of. "I`ve got more people I`m responsible for," Caton said. Kessler and Caton said while their equipment usually works, it is older and less efficient than what the cities have.