Luther Fire Department Receives Generous Gift

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

LUTHER, Oklahoma – The Luther Fire Department received a donation that they never expected; three new fire trucks. The struggling fire department gained an entire fleet of fire trucks thanks to an Oklahoma family.

They got their groove on for the World Wide Web and received national attention. Now a group of volunteer firefighters are closer than ever as a department, even though they lost a contest for much needed fire equipment.

The fire department didn't win the contest but got their hands on some fire gear and when it seem like it was all over, they ended up with a fleet of surprise.

The Luther Volunteer firefighters danced on a viral video for the chance to win a national contest for a brand new pumper. They ended up coming in a close second without the prize. The loss, in Fire Chief Jason Maynard's eyes, was a win in disguise.

"We lost one and gained three and it has been a blessing, it really has," said Maynard. "I think I even started shaking, just to know that we're going to get this kind of equipment will help us provide the protection the people need and deserve."

The late owner of Carter Chevrolet in Okarche had a passion in collecting government trucks. He passed away earlier this year but when his wife saw a huge need in Luther from the news, she donated the equipment.

"Our tanker is a '62 Dodge, very aged, so even these are a huge step up from what we have," said Maynard. "Like I said, it's been a blessing."

The donated tanker itself is 30 years newer than the old one they now own.

"That's what we're searching for now, to get the help we need to finish them and put them on the road and put them into service," Maynard said.

As for another cameo on a viral video to ask for more help, the chief said it was a possibility.

"If worse came to worse, if we probably need something, we can probably dance up a storm," Maynard said.

The donated equipment has a lot of wear and tear. It needs everything from paint, replacing most of the parts and the repairs will cost thousands of dollars. It could cost up to $20,000 to fix just the pumper truck.

More:
- Luther Firefighter Dancing to Win New Fire Truck 
- Luther Fire Department Loses Contest to Win New Pumper Truck