Hickory Valley Unveils Its New Fire Truck Tanker 1 {video}
Hickory Valley Fire Chief Mike Vaughn made one simple request of the crowd, which gathered on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Hickory Valley Fire Station for the unveiling and dedication of the town’s new fire tanker truck. For one moment, Hickory Valley Fire Chief Mike Vaughn took everyone back, reminiscent of the popular television show, Extreme Makeover.
“I want everybody to say, ‘Crank that truck’,” said Chief Vaughan, who smiled as the crowd obliged.
And with that, the brand-new Hickory Valley Fire Truck Tanker 1 rolled out of the fire station garage ushering in a new era for the Hickory Valley Volunteer Fire Department. The new tanker was the result of efforts, which began in 2022, to purchase a the new tanker truck so the volunteers could better serve the Hickory Valley community as well as when it was called to assist in emergency situations doing mutual aid.
“We do a lot of mutual aid out in rural areas, and we run short of water and this will help us with water supply,” said Chief Vaughn, who has served as a volunteer at the department since 2014 and as chief since 2016.
Assistant Hickory Valley Fire Chief Ricky Watkins shared more about the immediate need for the new tanker truck.
“Just to tell you how important it is, we had two fire calls in the last 30 days. One was mutual aid to grand junction and the other was along with Bolivar and Whiteville. We show up with our truck tank full of water and we can’t pump. It just won’t work,” said Mr. Watkins.
The dedication ceremony opened with Hickory Valley City Recorder Loretta Bell singing the National Anthem. Cynthia Langhans of the Hickory Valley Woman’s Club prayed. She also expressed appreciation for the truck, which is the result of the concerns and generosity from many of the people who attended the ceremony.
“May it safely save many from additional harm,” said Ms. Langhans.
Hickory Valley Assistant Fire Chief Ricky Watkins, who is also the pastor of Middleburg Baptist Church, prayed at the end adding a special prayer regarding the use of the truck.
“Even though it’s very much need, I pray it will be very little used,” said Mr. Watkins.
The truck, which arrived at the station on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, is ready to go and serve.
Chief Vaughn took a moment to thank many who contributed to funding the tanker truck. He thanked “Over the Wall” donors, who contributed $500 or more; people from Hickory Valley and other areas in Hardeman County; Mayor Ricky Ayers, who “never missed a beat” and the city council members; Betsy Jones and the Hickory Valley Woman’s Club; Hardeman County government; Volunteer Firefighter Allen Baker for spearheading the fundraising efforts; and City Recorder Loretta Bell.
“Loretta Bell is like my second wife,” said Chief Vaughn jokingly. “When she started with us and we had this fire truck going, she had black hair. Look at her now. Without Loretta, we couldn’t have put this thing together. She did a lot of paperwork for us.”
Chief Vaughn, who volunteer firefighter Baker referred to as “the glue that has held the fire department together”, is excited about the service his department will continue to be able to provide the community. He has been a volunteer firefighter for 43 years and loves the people of Hickory Valley.
“I was raised in the area. I went to school down here and there is just a good bunch of people down here,” said Chief Vaughn.
The Hickory Valley Fire Department will continue its fundraising efforts to furnish the new tanker truck and be able to repair the older truck to get it back into good working condition. It plans to hold a fish fry this summer. If you would like to contribute to the Hickory Valley Fire Department, you may call
(731) 659-2514.
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