Rappahannock Electric Cooperative Donates Retired Truck for Large Animal Rescue Operations
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) has donated a retired 2011 Ford F-550 crane truck to the Little Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue Co.’s Technical Large Animal Rescue Team. This vehicle, which previously served REC for over 200,000 miles, has been repurposed to assist in rescuing large animals, such as horses and cows, from difficult situations. The truck's first call involved rescuing Beauregard, a 2,200-pound Belgian draft horse trapped beneath boards in a shed. Rescuers utilized the truck's hoist and a special sling to safely lift the animal, bringing a successful resolution to the incident. According to Michael Lee, REC’s director of fleet services and operations, the co-op sought to donate the truck to an organization that could still benefit from its remaining operational life. Doug Monaco, chief of Little Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue Co., highlighted the F-550's advantages, including its ability to access smaller, tighter areas and its quieter operation, which helps keep animals calmer during ...