The Byron Fire Protection District recently donated a 1995 fire truck from its dive response team to the Vergennes Fire Department.

Jeff Bain, a board member of the Byron Fire Protection District, made the five-hour drive to deliver the truck. Byron’s budget runs in the millions, largely due to the presence of a nuclear power plant within their jurisdiction. This financial stability allows them to support neighboring departments in need.

Vergennes is an all-volunteer fire department with a modest annual budget of just $8,000, according to Trish Sherman, a volunteer firefighter and EMS provider who also serves as the village office manager. This donation marks the first major vehicle upgrade for the department in decades. Their current fleet includes vehicles from the 1970s and 1980s, and without this gift, they wouldn’t have been able to afford a new unit.

Vergennes is a small community of about 300 residents, located 20 miles north of Carbondale in Jackson County. The fire department covers a large area—approximately 300 square miles—and often arrives first on medical calls. They are trained to provide initial care while waiting for paramedics from Jackson County Ambulance, which may be farther away.

The new truck will serve as both a medical response vehicle and an extrication unit. Before this donation, the department had to send two separate units—a medical vehicle and a fire truck—for car accidents. But when only one volunteer was available, it created a logistical challenge. Now, with the new vehicle, they can respond more efficiently and effectively.

In addition to its medical capabilities, the truck is air-conditioned, offering a much-needed respite for firefighters during long incidents. It can also be used as a cooling station at fire scenes or other emergencies, improving safety and comfort for responders.

The connection between Byron and Vergennes came through Nick Dinges, owner of the Amboy-based Dinges Fire Company. While his business sells equipment to fire departments, he often helps facilitate donations and exchanges between departments that have surplus gear and those in need.

Currently, there are 10 volunteers serving the Vergennes Fire Department. Matt Hardwig, the assistant fire chief, has been with the department for 21 years and expressed deep gratitude for the donation. He believes the new truck will make a real difference in how they respond to emergencies and help keep the community safe.

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