(WBIR-Talbott) Chris Wooden at Frightmare Manor and Adventure Ranch had a vision for a retired fire truck.
"There was an online auction that I saw one day and I knew I would be opening Adventure Ranch and what kid does not love being on a fire truck blowing the horn, getting to see the ladder move around," he said.
Chris was here in East Tennessee. The fire truck was in Syracuse, New York.
"We had to go up there and we actually brought it down ourselves. We drove it down ourselves and we took our time because we had some people who are used to driving big vehicles so we just took our time coming down and we made it just fine," he said.
Something happened after he put it on display at a place you can see from Highway 11-E when the chief of a local volunteer fire department drove by.
"The reason I bought it was for fire education and fire safety for the kids who come out to Adventure Ranch so whenever the Fire Chief for Lakeway Volunteer stopped by he said I think I have a greater purpose for this," Chris recalled.
Lakeway Central Volunteer Firefighter Jacob Thompson said, "We have everything from engines to pumpers to tankers to our newest ladder truck."
Jacob said his chief just asked to use it.
"We ended up working out a deal where he provides us the truck and we furnish the equipment and maintenance it and we use it year round," he said.
Chris said, "I saw the vision also for him so that was a great combination of him being able to actually use it in firefighting and for us to be able to use it as a firefighting tool."
They have a hand shake agreement.
"They've been great to work with. They're doing upkeep on it and maintenance and so basically they;re just taking care of our baby for us in the off season," Chris said.
Oh, and the people who live in Lakeway Central's district also benefit.
"It helps lower our ISO rating in the county which when you lower your ISO rating it lowers your fire insurance. So the more you can donate and give to the fire department the more we can provide you with more protection and lower your insurance premium as well," Jacob explained.
It's a premium gig for an old fire truck from New York retired in Tennessee: fun and fire fighting.
"It's in great working shape now and it's a great addition to our community," Jacob said.
