NATCHEZ — Even without being officially transferred over to the city, the long-awaited fire truck Adams County’s government purchased for firefighting efforts has been put into use.

The truck — which Adams County commissioned Pierce Manufacturing to build for $524,980 — is meant to replace a unit that has been in the Natchez fleet for more than two decades.

Its official home will be in Station No. 2 — also known as the Bypass Fire Station — with intention that, because of the equipment it has been fitted with, it will help cover the county’s industrial areas.

The truck arrived in Natchez in February, but wasn’t transferred to the city at that time because it needed to be entered into the county’s inventory and have some finishing touches put on it.

But the new truck was pushed into service about a week-and-a-half ago when “a couple of city (fire) trucks went down,” Adams County Emergency Management Director Robert Bradford said.

The truck, purchased as a good-faith effort on the county’s part to show its support for the 10-year shared fire-coverage agreement between the city and county volunteer fire departments, is meant to be traded with the city for an older model, which will go to the Liberty Road Volunteer Fire Department, Bradford said.

While that hasn’t happened yet, “We are working with Fire Chief (Aaron) Wesley, and if he needs the truck, he can use it,” Bradford said.

Wesley said the Natchez Fire Department is trying to get its vehicles fixed before making the transfer, and while the new truck has been used it hasn’t been utilized for anything beyond “average runs.”

“For us, right now it is kind of like having a Mercedes-Benz — it is very nice and has a reputation for quality,” Wesley said. “We are hoping that what we have gotten is that quality, that it will be reliable for us, for what we need.”

Bradford said one of the final finishing touches that needs to be done is mounting a plaque on the truck noting that it was purchased by the county.

While the truck will continue in as-needed use until then, Bradford said he hopes to have the truck formally transferred sometime next week.

Under the current fire agreement, the city fire department responds to calls inside and outside the city limits. The rural volunteer fire departments likewise respond to calls and provide fire support where they can.