Volunteer fire department in Elmore County sending truck to Africa

VIDEO: A decommissioned pumper truck from the Emerald Mountain Volunteer Fire Department is headed for a new life overseas, in Malawi, Africa. Captain Wes Gunn, who has served on multiple mission trips to the southeastern African nation, said the fire engine will be donated to the government of Malawi, where firefighters are in dire need of resources. With a population nearing 20 million and fewer than 200 firefighters nationwide, Malawiโ€™s need for public safety equipment is severe. โ€œWhen youโ€™re focused on health care and other essentials, firefighting sometimes gets lower down the list,โ€ Gunn said. โ€œEven though it is an incredibly important thing.โ€ The volunteer fire department is now fundraising to cover part of the $13,000 shipping cost for the truckโ€™s 10,000-mile voyage. The journey will begin at the port of Houston, travel by boat to Namibia, and continue overland to Malawi.

WSFA-TV NBC 12 Montgomery

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