Sikeston Standard Democrat: Local News: Noranda donates firetruck to town (02/04/12)

Tommy Chism, left, a Noranda Aluminum Inc. employee and member of the company's emergency response team, explains the operation of a firetruck to Steven Lewis, New Madrid assistant fire chief. The company donated the truck to the New Madrid Volunteer Fire Department. Jill Bock, Staff

MARSTON - Assistant New Madrid Fire Chief Steven Lewis walked around the firetruck checking out each lever and knob. Tom Chism, a member of the Noranda Emergency Action Team, walked with him explaining the ins and outs of the machine which has served the company for the past 12 years.

The vehicle was on its way to a new home. On Friday it began serving as one of two trucks for the New Madrid Volunteer Fire Department.

It couldn't have come at a better time.

"This is a big asset for us," New Madrid Fire Chief Jimmy Harris said about the 1981 American LaFrance. "Our older truck had played out. Just a few weeks ago it quit pumping altogether."

Harris said the city had determined the repairs to their 1975 model were going to cost more than the vehicle was worth.

When Chism, who also serves a member of the New Madrid City Council, learned about the Department's predicament, he told them about changes going on at Noranda. The local aluminum company was getting a new ambulance and a new firetruck.

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