Wildfires and Tragedy Inspires Generosity and Hope for Texas Community

Feb. 20, 2012 - PRLog -- The largest wildfire in the history of the state of Texas was extinguished thirty-six days after it started, and the town of Smithville, TX was one of the hardest hit areas. Following the tragic fires, an outpouring of support streamed in to the community, and, in collaboration with ABC’s 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' television show, Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus generously donated a new brush truck to the Smithville volunteer fire department.

The emergency vehicle was the ‘cherry on top’ of 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s' extensive renovation and expansion of the fire station, along with a new home that was built adjacent to the fire station for one of the fire fighters and his family.

'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' contacted Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus, the nation's largest buyer and seller of used fire trucks, about the possibility of donating a brush truck. When Brindlee’s founder and President, James Wessel, heard the news, he realized that he also had a personal connection to the community. “With the opportunity to help the local fire service in such a practical way, we were glad for the opportunity to participate.”

Heart of Pines Volunteer Fire Chief, Nathan Decker, added, “Receiving the truck was a total shock to us. We only had 2 brush trucks; one was burned over and the other on its last leg, plus, this truck is equipped with an anti-fire foam system, a good pump, and it seats five people. The truck is just a true blessing for our fire department and we cannot thank James Wessel and Brindlee Mountain Fire’s team enough for their generosity.”

ABC’s presentation of 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' will be airing in December, 2012 as the series’ Christmas special. For more information regarding Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus and their support of the Heart of Pines Volunteer Fire Department, please visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.279007298820235.... or visit their website at http://www.firetruckmall.com.

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Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus is one of the world’s largest used fire truck sales and service companies. Based just outside of Huntsville, Alabama, the company has thirty-seven full-time personnel occupying over 12,000 square feet which includes office space and fourteen apparatus service bays, dedicated to the refurbishment of used fire apparatus.