By Gerri Miller, Staff Writer
What is red and shiny and holds 1,000 gallons of water? A new tool that will help train some of Autauga County’s firefighters to better handle emergencies.
International Paper’s Prattville Containerboard Mill on Friday donated a fire truck to the Autauga County Public Safety Training Facility (ACPSTF).
The 1984 model truck is operational but is no longer in service at the mill. It will be used by members of the organization and other area first responder agencies for training exercises. Mill leaders and ACPSTF made it official by signing papers and handing transferring the deed to the public safety organization.
Mill leaders and members of the mill’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) presented the truck to the ACPSTF at a ceremony on Dec. 19 at the Marbury Volunteer Fire Department on Alabama Highway 143 in Autauga County.
ACPSTF President Lowell Strock said the donation will help provide vital training to the entities who have become part of the new facility. Those entities include the Marbury Volunteer Fire Department, the Autaugaville Volunteer Fire Department, the Billingsley Volunteer Fire Department, White City Volunteer Fire Department, Old Kingston Volunteer Fire Department, and the Autauga County Rescue Squad.
Strock said he is grateful for IP’s generosity. “This truck will become an important part of our program to help equip and train volunteer firefighters across Autauga County,” Strock said. “We appreciate IP’s generosity and look forward to a continued partnership with the mill’s ERT as we all work to help save lives and minimize property damage.”
Prattville Mill Manager Carl Gunter said giving the truck to the ACPSTF is just one way the company invests in the communities where its team members live and work. “Although this truck can no longer be used at the mill, we didn’t want to just discard it,” Gunter said. “Members of our ERT and Safety team found a way to donate it to a local organization that will use it to help others.”
“We equip our mill team with tools and training to provide emergency response that helps prevent injuries and save lives,” said Billy Scott, the mill’s environmental, health and safety manager. “We are proud to give this truck to the ACPSTF so they can use it to do the same.”
