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On Tuesday, the Troup County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of a new off-road firetruck for the fire department.

The off-road firetruck, or “brush truck” as it is sometimes referred to, is needed for fires that occur in locations where more traditional larger firetrucks cannot go.

Fire Chief Michael Strickland advised that the department lost its brush truck earlier this year due to mechanical problems.

“It was our small off-road truck we used to access fires in an off-road nature, such as in woods, pastures, areas we can’t take some of our larger trucks for fear of them getting stuck or just access problems, Strickland said.

The former off-road truck was a 2002 F-350 that had more than 200,000 miles on it. The truck was determined to need repairs in excess of $5,000, so the decision was made not to repair it.

Strickland said while looking for a replacement, a local GMC Chevy dealer, GMC Auto Gallery, was able to locate a truck that would fill the department’s needs in Michigan that has already been built and is ready to ship. The price quoted for the truck was $56,265.24, which is below state contract pricing for a similar truck.

Strickland said they plan to mount their current 300-gallon water tank, pump, hoses and other equipment from the existing brush truck onto the flatbed of the new truck. Between outfitting the new truck with lights, decals, sirens and other equipment, Strickland estimated the truck would cost around $71,000 in total.

“This would fill the need for the Troup County Fire Department the next 20 to 25 years,” Strickland said.

Strickland said over the last four years, the department has seen about a 150% increase in off-road calls.

“We get launched on ground cover fires, which could mean a grass catches on fire beside somebody’s house to, an intentionally set fire, a lightning strike, or somebody burning, and it gets out of control,” Strickland said.

He said typically, the brush truck is sent out in conjunction with the larger truck, which can stay on the main road and be used to refill the water tank for the more mobile off-road truck.

“As we approach the official start of the burn season of October 1, we’re going to see an increase. Unfortunately, with these types of fires, we do the best we can with education out there to prevent them from happening, but we all know that things happen out there,” he said.

Strickland said the brush truck isn’t needed as frequently as some of their other equipment, but it is necessary.

“When we need it, we really need it,” Strickland said.

The purchase of the truck was unanimously approved by the commissioners.

Funding for the new off-road fire truck will come from SPLOST V funding.