For the first time in almost four decades, Pike County Fire and Rescue has the opportunity to purchase brand new equipment.

Pike County Fire and Rescue, the volunteer fire department for Pike County, received a $10,000 grant from Plum Creek Timber, a timberland owner and manager, as well as a forest products, mineral extraction and property development company.

Rick Cozine, manager of sales and marketing with Plum Creek, presented the check to volunteer fire fighters John Register, Pike County fire chief Cliff Davis and assistant chief David Sikes on Monday and said the volunteer organization was plenty worthy of the grant.

“The rural Skid Steer Unit that they are planning to purchase will put out fire out on timberland such as our own, so it’s going to help all other rural land owners in Pike County,” Cozine said. “It’s a good thing for them and for Plum Creek.”

Register said the grant would do so much for the firefighters and the people of Pike County.

“This piece of equipment is $9,000 dollars and this grant is going to just about cover the cost of it and a couple of sections of hoses that go on the Skid unit,” he said. “The last time we bought something new, I think we have a 1969 Chevrolet van that we bought brand.”

Plum Creek Timber gives out numerous grants each year, but approximately $250,000 is distributed throughout the Southeast district. Cozine said the company often chose smaller, volunteer organizations that service areas where Plum Creek owns timberland.

“We are trying to make sure we protect those areas where we own land and have a vested interest,” Cozine said. “This gives us an opportunity to do that and help the people who are out there living and working in rural areas.”