HICKMAN, KENTUCKY, HAS SEVERED ITS RELATIONSHIP with the Fulton County Rescue Squad after the entire organization shut itself down last Wednesday, May 21.

The rescue squad did not provide any medical or ambulance service.  The all-volunteer company responded to calls for vehicle extrication, river search and rescue, setting up helicopter landing zones and performed the town’s weather spotting.

The rescue squad went to the city several months ago telling of their need for a new truck because the present vehicle is too old and unsafe to operate.  They said that a properly-designed truck that would serve their needs would cost $89,000.  The city said that they have no funds to purchase a new truck beyond their budgeted $2,500 annual donation to the company.

After several months of discussions to no satisfaction, the membership voted to close down and all the officers resigned.  The city of Hickman has signed a 30-day contract with the Fulton City Fire and Rescue to provide extrication service while they decide what to do next.

update:
The city has also taken the legal steps to have the squad audited immediately.  Their primary purpose is to account for the equipment and tools that the city has purchased and provided to the rescue squad.

The Fulton Leader has some background in the truck controversy:

In January 2007, the rescue squad asked the fiscal court for help in purchasing the vehicle they said was needed to meet KRS specifications and allow then to transport their equipment and volunteers safely and efficiently. No action was taken on the request last year. The rescue squad returned to the fiscal court in January and March and again May 12 asking for support to buy what rescue squad leaders call the “much needed” vehicle.

The vehicle in question is a 550 Ford Quad Cab 4-wheel drive truck that would carry all equipment and haul a boat necessary when they respond to water rescues.

The rescue squad’s current primary response vehicle is a 1994 Dodge half- ton truck with a mechanics body and 142,519 miles on the vehicle.

The body has a gap making it appear as if the body, where some of the gear is stored, is pulling away from the main cab of the truck, apparently due to the fact it is hauling more weight than it was intended. 

Read the full story in the Fulton Leader HERE.
The Lexington Herald-Leader has a brief REPORT.
Hickman Chamber of Commerce WEBSITE.

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