AVENUE, Md. — A 1994 fire engine donated by the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department (SDVFD) in St. Mary’s County to the Woodlawn-Sevier Fire Department in North Carolina has sparked controversy after a mechanic shop posted a video of the truck being used for off-roading before it was scrapped.
Last year, SDVFD members voted to donate the reserve engine following Hurricane Helene, intended to aid the hard-hit region. SDVFD issued an official statement on Sunday, July 27, expressing disappointment after learning about the video circulating online.
“On Friday, we were made aware of a video circulating on social media of individuals off-roading with the engine. This video was not only disappointing to see but we felt it was in poor taste considering our department name was never removed from the top of the apparatus. We have received further details that this video was posted by a mechanic shop who was working on the engine. They did this prior to taking the engine to scrap,” the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department stated.
In a second updated statement issued after learning more about the truck’s condition and its scrapping, SDVFD expressed frustration over the missed opportunity to help another department.
“There were many places across the country and around the world that would have taken this engine and put it to good use,” the department stated. “We only wish that it was better taken care of and that if it needed to be left outside of their fire station, proper preparations for freezing conditions were completed. This could have ensured these pump repairs would not have been needed.”
Woodlawn-Sevier Responds
In a separate statement issued July 28, the Woodlawn-Sevier Fire Department confirmed the cause of damage:
“On Feb. 24, 2025, the water inside the tank of that truck froze and damaged the truck.”
According to the department, the truck was evaluated for repair, but they were unable to proceed due to funding shortfalls:
“The truck was taken to a repair shop, and a quote was given to the fire department for repairs. Because the department had just depleted its funding and supplies in the wake of Helene, the money was not available to repair the truck and put it into service.”
The department said it made a “difficult decision” to give up the truck and emphasized that it “no longer belongs to the Woodlawn-Sevier Fire Department and the department has no control over how that truck is being displayed and used.”
Chief Keith Stockton stated that the engine was transferred to the mechanic shop and is no longer under the department’s control. In the same statement, the department publicly thanked SDVFD for the donation:
“We would like to specifically thank the Seventh District Fire Department for a very generous donation of a fire truck to the Woodlawn-Sevier Department.”
The fire department also asked the public not to rush to judgment based on the video footage:
“We are asking that anyone who has a negative opinion to please educate yourselves on the facts of the matter before putting your opinion on a social media platform for so many others to read.”
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Hopefully both departments have learned something from this. Seventh should keep things locally and donate to departments within the State or here in the County. Woodlawn should have offered it back to 7th if they couldn’t clear it for service or even give to another department in need. Not just scrap it or give to some untrust worthy mechanic shop. The hate should be on the mechanic shop for their distaste in our service members and the equipment. This is insanity by that shop. So foul.
I don’t understand how the shop is at fault. Once put in their hands the shop can do as they please. The fire department in NC is disgraceful.
Sid, that’s not how it should be. That’s like saying a mechanic shop can just go and joy ride a police vehicle since it barely runs and going to be disposed of anyways. With sirens and all. How much sense does that make? There needs to be some professionalism at some point, which they don’t have. I agree though Woodlawn is also at fault, if they would have taken appropriate measures with the engine then this situation could have been avoided altogether.
Woodlawn-Sevier neglected the basic upkeep to prevent the pumps and tanks form freezing. Basically, they didn’t care.
Next time just keep our things local please.
Sweet name!
Seems that fire department in North Carolina has an ego problem as well as a negligence problem. If truck to be stored outside why wasn’t proper maintenance performed to insure pumps would not freeze? I think if I lived in the area of this station I would be approaching the local government and warn of lack of responsibility being taken by this supposed fire company.
Couldn’t find any video online.
Dont replace it!