ADA TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Five firefighters from Ada Township flew back home after a long but rewarding trek to Abbott, Texas.
“The closer you got, the hotter it got,” Lieutenant David Murray said.
Their mission was to deliver an Ada Township fire engine to the people of Abbott. That community is bouncing back from tragedy. Just months ago a fertilizer plant exploded and killed 14 people, including 9 firefighters.
“We had a pretty tight schedule that we`d try to stay on but a lot of times we fell off schedule,” Brandon Holmes, an Ada Township fireman said.
The crew enjoyed the country side. They traveled to national landmarks like the arch in St. Louis and made friends along the way.
“We got lost once for an hour and a half. We make the most of that, it was kind of funny,” Holmes said.
Holmes said it was a bumpy, not so comfortable ride in the engine going cross country, but the journey and final destination made it worth it.
“We had a police escort from 20 miles out, and you turned the corner to turn into Abbott,”
“So all the way in, we were kind of anticipating what will we see? What will it be like when we get there?” Holmes explained.
They were welcomed by a street full of people.
“They were crying. They were cheering. They were clapping. You just can`t imagine. A small town like that, they all got together. They were behind… it was indescribable,” Holmes described.
West Emergency Services Director Tom Marek said, “They babied this truck. It has 24,000 miles on it. So even though its aged, it’s in great shape and we can put it in service tomorrow.”
“It’s a rebuilding process this is going to help the town of Abbott. Us losing an engine it gives us high hopes of being able to still continue and protect everybody and serve,” he added.
Donations helped to pay for gas for the trip.
For more background on the fire engine donation check here:
