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As a means to maintain the city’s low fire-insurance rates, Cowan has purchased a newer, larger pumper truck for its Volunteer Fire Department.

Then-Mayor Mark Ledbetter, who resigned from his position on June 2, citing health reasons, said recently that the department’s main pumper truck had been a 1985 Ford that had been deemed a candidate for replacement, and the city was facing potential increases in insurance rates if its Insurance Services Office rating were to be lowered.

The Fire Department maintains an ISO score of 4, which would have been in jeopardy had the city kept the 1985 Ford in service, according to a city press release.

An ISO fire rating is a score that evaluates fire prevention and suppression capabilities and directly affects homeowners’ insurance premiums. The score is on a 1-10 scale with 1 being the best rating and 10 being the worst rating.

Ledbetter said the City Council explored different options for maintaining the current ISO rating, and after considering the cost of maintenance on such an old vehicle, it was determined that the best option was to purchase a newer model — a 2004 Ferrara 1500/750 pumper truck — with more capabilities.

“The addition of the new truck will greatly enhance the department’s ability to respond to emergencies, keep our community safe and reduce homeowners’ insurance premiums,” Ledbetter said.

“The City of Cowan would like to express sincere gratitude to the Cowan Volunteer Fire Department, especially Chief Tommy Myers, Assistant Chief Scotty Denton and Mr. James Curtis for their efforts in acquiring this new addition to our fleet,” the press release added.

Myers said he welcomes the newer fire truck.

“It’s great,” he said, referring to the most recent purchase, comparing it to the former fire truck. “As a fire department for this city, it needed to be replaced, and everybody has done a good job of making that happen, from the mayor on down and everybody involved. It’s all for the citizens and having protection for them.”

Ledbetter said the money to pay for the newer fire truck was borrowed from the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund at a $142,250 cost with another $60,000 going toward equipping it to meet Cowan’s specifications.

He said by selecting a great used fire truck, the city was able to save substantially on the purchase compared to buying a new unit.