Fire department's command unit arrives

L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree Ready To Respond El Campo Volunteer Fire Chief Jimmy George Jr., shown above, recently traded his old command cruiser - a high mileage retired police Crown Victoria - for a new SUV. The vehicle allows the chief to carry more equipment to assorted emergency scenes.

The El Campo Volunteer Fire Department now has an SUV in its fleet of vehicles.

Although the city of El Campo has supplied the volunteer department's command staff with vehicles for more than 10 years, this is the first time a new unit has been purchased.

Three Crown Victorias removed from the El Campo Police Department fleet due to high mileage had been assigned to the fire department for the use of the fire chief and his two assistants.

Fire Chief Jimmy George Jr.'s cruiser, with more than 130,000 miles, has been retired in favor of the $23,044.86 Ford Expedition.

That vehicle is now his command unit carrying additional supplies and firefighting gear.

The purchase price had already been approved in the fire department budget for the purchase of a pickup truck. The SUV was later determined to be a better choice.

El Campo City Council approved the purchase in October 2007.