Buchanan County Commission donates ambulance vehicle to DeKalb Fire Protection District

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Buchanan County is stepping up this holiday season to provide support for a rural public safety agency.

Buchanan County Commissioners signed off on a court order to donate a 2000 Ford Ambulance to the Dekalb Fire Protection District during Friday's meeting at the Buchanan County Courthouse.

The large vehicle -- which has exceeded its useful life as an ambulance -- will be repurposed to serve multiple department uses according to Buchanan County Western District Commissioner Ron Hook. The ambulance will not be used for transporting patients however.

Despite being an older used vehicle, Hook said donations of equipment or vehicles can be particularly useful for rural public safety agencies often working with fewer resources and funding.

"We've donated seven or eight vehicles to different counties or agencies when we're able to. It helps them out," Hook said.

The Dekalb Fire District serves a population of roughly 1,300 residents and a commuting population around 20,000 each week, employing a volunteer labor force of 27 people according to its website. 

Holt and Andrew County have also benefitted from recent vehicle donations from the Buchanan County Commission, with each receiving three decommissioned patrol vehicles for a range of potential uses in recent months.