10/9/17
L-R- White County Public Safety Director David Murphy, Conner Smith, Second Lt. Daniel McClure, Captain Mark Robbins, First Lt. Jamie Chastain, Shawn McClure, White County Fire Chief Norman Alexander and White County Commission Chairman Travis Turner
(Helen)- White County Fire Services has a new tanker truck added to their fleet serving the residents in the northeastern part of the county. The tanker truck has been placed in service at Fire Station 7 on Highway 356, just north of Unicoi State Park.
White County Public Safety Director David Murphy said the new unit, which has a life expectancy of 20 years, replaces an old tanker that the pump failed. The new unit is capable of pumping 750 gallons per minute and Murphy said, ” will be able to handle the firefighting needs of the community”, that is located quite a distance from fire hydrants.
Murphy said the unit made it’s first call last week responding to a mutual aid call from Lumpkin County. The truck was still located at fire headquarters in Cleveland at the time.
The tanker was built by Deep South Fire Trucks in Seminary Mississippi and cost $252,000.
Looking at future fire protection needs, White County Commission Chairman Travis Turner said the county has entered into an agreement with the state of Georgia to acquire property where they plan to build a fire station on Mauldin Road across from Yonah Preserve. In addition to providing fire protection for that area, the county plans to build a firefighter training facility. Turner said they are also looking at ways to expand fire protection in the Duncan Bridge Road, Mount Yonah Elementary School area.
