SICILY ISLAND — The Ascension Parish Fire Protection District No. 1 recently donated a 1978 Ford FMC pumper to the Sicily Island Volunteer Fire Department in Catahoula Parish.

The pumper served the Sorrento Volunteer Fire Department for nearly 30 years before being taken out of service.

Sorrento Fire District Chairman James LeBlanc said the departments regularly assist each other.

“This is a sort of a pay back to the departments that helped out various Ascension Parish volunteer departments in their formative years with donations of surplus equipment,” he said. “This is continuing the fire service tradition of helping our brothers and sisters.”

This unit will replace a homemade unit that is currently being used by the Village of Sicily Island.

Chief Justin Spinks of the Parhams Volunteer Fire Department, who assisted Sicily Island in getting the fire truck, said the new truck is vital to the community.

“Catahoula Parish is grateful, thankful and proud to have great friends who care for other communities, as well as their own community,” he said. “I hope Catahoula and Ascension Parish stay great friends for a long time and we work together for a better tomorrow and better today for our friends and families.”