• The Murphreesboro Volunteer Fire Department in Mississippi received a new fire truck, but its annual budget was not enough to cover the cost of new equipment.
• The fire chief applied for a grant from Marathon Petroleum to purchase new hoses, hose nozzles and air packs.
• Marathon Petroleum awarded a grant to the fire department, which now has four fully functioning fire trucks.

A small volunteer fire department in Mississippi received a new fire truck through state and county funding, but it didn’t have the budget to purchase the additional equipment to go with it.

The Murphreesboro Volunteer Fire Department depends on volunteer firefighters and an annual budget of $6,000 to respond to emergencies in their community. Its budget was not enough to cover the costs of new hoses, hose nozzles and air packs needed to stock the new fire truck.

“It’s unreal the price of things,” said Fire Chief William McCammon, who helped start the volunteer fire department in 1984. “And fire departments always need something.”

"We want to make sure that these heroes have the equipment they need to stay safe while protecting our community."

The chief applied for a grant from Marathon Petroleum for $2,500. Marathon Pipe Line’s Capline Oakland Station located nearby responded to help.

“This was a labor of love and respect for our first responders,” said Debbie Roberts, Administrative Assistant for Marathon Pipe Line – Mid South Area. “We want to make sure that these heroes have the equipment they need to stay safe while protecting our community.”

The fire department was awarded a $5,000 grant, double the amount requested, to provide supplies. This means the department will have four fully functioning trucks to use in case of emergency.

“I was very surprised at first at the generous donation,” said McCammon. “But then again, I wasn’t surprised at all. The team I worked with was so helpful and appreciative.”