MT. EDEN, Ky. — A volunteer fire department has reopened nearly 15 months after a devastating fire destroyed its firehouse.
WAVE reported that the Mt. Eden (Ky.) Volunteer Fire Department lost a tanker, engine and millions of dollars’ worth of equipment when the station burned down on August 5.
“We’re pretty much back to almost 100 percent now,” Chief Doug Herndon said.
The department received a new pumper truck and tanker. They also got new gear for each of the more than two dozen volunteers.
“We’re stronger, closer,” Lt. John Butler said. “Our equipment’s better.”
Chief Herndon said the department also credits their insurance, friends, neighbors and even strangers with helping rebuild and donate to the cause.
“I actually had to appoint a person right after the fire to take care of all the donations and the calls and the emails that I was getting,” he said.
The department also received a Ford F-250 and new Expedition SUV with a heavy duty engine and suspension.
“They were down, no question,” Chief Herndon said. “Not having a place to train, to meet, we were in makeshift buildings and all that was very tough on the guys, until you could get back into (the) building we could call home.”
The fire was deemed ‘not suspicious’ by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
“I never really thought it was anything other than an accident,” Chief Herndon said.
Herndon installed security cameras inside and outside the firehouse and can monitor them through an app on his phone.
The department also created a new logo and crest.
“The only thing that can come up from the ashes is a Phoenix,” Lt. Butler said. “We wanted to show our community that we were going to come back, this wasn’t going to be the end of Mt. Eden, that we were strong enough and we were going to come together and fight to come back, and that was our symbol of we’re coming back.”