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 benefits from a large budget—millions of dollars—largely due to the presence of a nuclear power plant within their taxing district.

In contrast, the Vergennes Fire Department is an all-volunteer unit with an annual budget of just $8,000, according to Trish Sherman, who serves as both a volunteer firefighter and EMS provider, as well as the office manager for the Village of Vergennes. This donation marks the first major vehicle upgrade in years, as the department’s existing fleet includes vehicles dating back to the 1970s and 1980s.

Vergennes is a small community in Jackson County, home to about 300 residents, located roughly 20 miles north of Carbondale. The fire department covers a vast area—around 300 square miles—and often responds to medical emergencies before paramedics arrive. Their volunteers are trained to provide initial care while waiting for assistance from Jackson County Ambulance, which may be farther away.

The new truck will serve as a mobile medical response unit and will also be equipped with extrication tools. Currently, when responding to car accidents, the department needs both a medical unit and a fire truck, which can be challenging if only one volunteer is available. With this new vehicle, they can now respond more efficiently with a single unit.

Additionally, the truck features air conditioning, which will help firefighters stay cool during long incidents. It can also act as a temporary rest or recovery station at the scene of fires or other emergencies.

The connection between the two departments came through Nick Dinges, owner of the Amboy-based Dinges Fire Company. While his business sells firefighting equipment, he often facilitates exchanges between departments that have surplus gear and those in need.

The Vergennes Fire Department currently has 10 volunteers, and they’re always looking for more. Matt Hardwig, the assistant fire chief, has been with the department for 21 years and expressed his gratitude for the donation. He believes the new truck will be used extensively and make a real difference in their ability to serve the community.

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