Chesapeake Energy donates truck to Clarendon VFD

The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department was feeling the love the day after Valentine’s when Cupid showed up driving a new pickup truck last Friday.

Representatives of Chesapeake Energy Corporation unveiled the new addition to the team – a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado – in preparation for the summer fire season. The ¾-ton truck will carry rescue tools to the scene of fi res, vehicle accidents, and storm-related emergencies and will also likely serve as a command vehicle. The truck was formerly part of Chesapeake’s fleet.

Chesapeake Corporate Development Director James Roller presented the truck to First Assistant Chief Kelly Hill.

“Clarendon is an important community to Chesapeake, and we want to ensure its emergency responders have the best resources to serve the area,” said Roller. “Clarendon firefighters already do so much to keep their neighbors safe, and they deserve equipment that can work as hard as they do.”

Clarendon Fire Chief Jeremy Powell was grateful for the gift. “On behalf of the city and all of our firefighters, I want to thank Chesapeake for making such a valuable donation,” he said. “With our department’s tight budget this gift not only helps our bottom line, but helps us keep our community safer.”

Elected officials – specifically State Sen. Kel Seliger, municipal representatives and community leaders work with Chesapeake to identify local needs for the company to support.

“Chesapeake’s donation shows the company’s appreciation for rural fire departments,” said Sen. Seliger, who was on hand for the presentation. “These departments receive little public funding, but play critical roles in our communities. We are very fortunate to have such a strong corporate partner in Chesapeake, and some of the finest firefighters in the state working in Clarendon.”

Seliger also thanked the volunteer firefighters for their service.

“Nowhere has better shown what volunteer fire departments can do other than right here in the Texas Panhandle,” the senator said. “They don’t get paid, and they do it all for their neighbors and their homes.”