by Mike Sanders mnsand@comcast.net

In November of 2007, while traveling in southwest Virginia, I came upon the Russell Prater Volunteer Fire Department in Buchanan County. Russell Prater VFD is near Grundy, Virginia and I was surprised to find the bay doors open and members Nick Justus and Vern Deel at the station. Nick and Vern took the time to move apparatus out for photographs, which I greatly appreciated.

The apparatus roster at Russell Prater VFD offers a variety of equipment. Engine Company operations are handled by Unit 151 and Unit 153. A 1977 Mack CF 1000 gallon per minute pump with a 500 gallon water tank runs as Unit 151. This yellow Mack CF once ran at Norton, Virginia. Unit 153 is a 1983 GMC built by FMC Corporation and has a 750 gallon per minute pump and 750 water tank. Painted red, it was once a FMC demonstrator pumper. An antique unit is owned by the department and is a 1958 Ford F350 that was built by Oren. It has a 250 gallon per minute pump and 250 gallon water tank.

Tanker operations are handled by Unit 159, a 1987 Ford L9000 that was built locally in 2000 when a 2500 gallon tank was added. The Ford L was once an Overnight Tractor Trailer and the tank was an old milk tank.

Unit 155 is a 1987 Ford F350 with a Stahl utility body and is equipped with a 300 gallon per minute pump and 250 gallons of water. The newest arrival at Russell Prater VFD (no photograph at this time) is a brand new 2008 Ford F550 built by Deep South. Equipped with a 300 gallon water tank, this new truck was obtained via a grant and runs as Rescue Truck 3.

Ambulance service is provided by Unit 1, a 1997 Chevrolet 3500 built by National Ambulance. A new ambulance is currently being built, a Ford F450 built by Road Rescue.

Other apparatus at Russell Prater VFD include a HAZMAT unit and Unit 1A. The department’s HAZMAT unit is a 1994 Grumman (old bread truck) that was rehabbed by the department in 2007, which included a unique paint scheme. Unit 1A is a 2007 Polaris Ranger that was donated by a local business.