Members of the Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Department gathered at Station 3 to say goodbye to old Engine 30. The engine was purchased new in 1988, and it has served the department well. In recent years, it became a reserve engine, responding to fewer and fewer calls. It was used primarily, as of late, to help train recruits at the Cherokee County Fire Training Center. Engine 30 was recently replaced by a new engine, purchased in large part through donations from within the Hickory Flat community.

Remembering the lean years as the department grew with the community, the members decided to donate the engine to a new, struggling, volunteer fire department in a small community in Kentucky. She served us well, and now she can continue to serve in another volunteer department, said board member Jim Hubbard.

Retired after 40 years of service, Chief Larry Berry, who was one of the founders of HFVFD, along with Jim Hubbard, also one of the founding members, were both present. Other members present span years of service. Adam Eilers and Tony DiPasquale with 25+ years, Mark Cornelius and Al Fox with 10+ years, Jack Tuszynski and Paul Manners with 5+ years, Katie Payne with 2+ years, Alex Stice with 2 years and 4 new members representing the future of the department.