In the wake of the recent announcement that the Augusta Fire Department had been deactivated, efforts quickly began to bring the system back to life.
On September 23rd, the Augusta Fire Board met to discuss options that lay ahead. They agreed to form committees to cover fire department rebuilding and the First Responder service.
Initial reports did not look encouraging, with problems on two fronts complicating issues for the Augusta Fire Board. In addition to lacking qualified personnel, first reports indicated possible significant troubles with the department’s equipment. First reports came that only one of the department’s five operational vehicles would even start.
Kurt Rhodes summoned the aid of Craig Hamrick, a retired Macomb firefighter who began his firefighting career with the Augusta department. “I’m not at all concerned about getting them (trucks) running,” Rhodes said.
By Monday, Sept. 26, four of the five trucks were in operation, according to Rhodes.