Lay Lake Fire & Rescue is facing significant challenges in acquiring a dedicated fire and rescue vessel for emergencies on the lake.
Currently, neither ALEA nor the U.S. Coast Guard provides surplus vessels directly to local agencies, forcing volunteer departments to compete with commercial buyers for decommissioned boats.
During the summer, ALEA and the Shelby County Sheriffโs Office patrol the lake, but their vessels are not equipped for fire suppression or full medical/rescue operations. A vessel comparable to East Chilton Fire & Rescueโs setup would cost around $370,000.
Lay Lake Fire & Rescue has applied for grants and reached out to various agencies but has had little success. They are considering retrofitting a donated or affordable pontoon with fire and rescue gear as an interim solution.
