Davenport Energy, a corporate leader in both public safety and community giving, awarded the Town of Chatham $75,000 for the purchase of a new platform (ladder) fire truck.
“This is an extraordinary response for support within our community,” Chatham Mayor Alisa Davis said. “Davenport Energy is a strong friend to a multitude of communities across their service area. Their willingness to support their hometown community in the interest of public safety is greatly appreciated.”
The Chatham Town Council authorized the purchase of a 2015 Pierce Arrow XT platform truck in February as the newest member of the Chatham Volunteer Fire Department’s fleet. This purchase was in response to reliability issues with the current vehicle, known as Tower 21. The new replacement vehicle was purchased for approximately $650,000.
“Fire departments like Chatham Volunteer Fire Department are critical to the safety of our communities and our facilities throughout Pittsylvania County,” said Lewis Wall, a Davenport Energy team member. “This ladder truck is an important piece of infrastructure for fighting fires at height and from safe distances, and we are grateful for the dedication and training of the firefighters who serve our region.”
Acquiring a used platform truck was an opportunity. Purchasing a high-quality used truck saved Town taxpayers about two million dollars while solving an immediate need with the Town’s emergency response. A brand-new platform truck would have taken approximately 2-3 years to build.
Locating a high-quality used truck, which was also difficult to source, solved the department’s need faster. A used truck solves the time problem. Chatham Fire Department Chief Bobby Higgins is credited with finding the right solution.
“We are blessed to have such support of Davenport and our community,” Higgins said. “This truck brings modern safety features, a remote controlled platform, and an onboard pump, which gives us capabilities we did not have before. We are not just replacing a truck. We are adding new capabilities to our emergency response.”
Davenport Energy’s maintains a strong commitment to the Chatham community. The $75,000 donation will be provided over three years at $25,000 per year. This is the largest single donation thus far in the community fundraising effort.
Davis emphasized the regional benefit of the purchase. “This is about serving not just the Town of Chatham, but the northern end of Pittsylvania County and surrounding districts. The ladder truck will support our residents, schools, businesses, and industries, and we are grateful for Davenport Energy’s leadership and community support.”
Davenport Energy is a leading supplier of propane, fuel oil, and wholesale gasoline and diesel serving more than 30,000 customers throughout southern, southwest, and central Virginia and North Carolina. Davenport Energy is a major supporter of local schools, sports teams, churches, fire departments, chambers of commerce, merchants’ associations, recreation departments, civic clubs, and a variety of other charitable causes throughout its service region.
The Town of Chatham supports an independent volunteer fire department serving the Town of Chatham and its surrounding communities. The department works within Pittsylvania County’s emergency response network. Donations are requested for the new Ladder 21. Donations are accepted by Kelly Hawker, Treasurer, Chatham Town Hall during normal business hours. The target request is $250 per individual, but any donation is acceptable. Donating businesses can request a photo op with the new truck with a higher donation level. Please consider supporting the fire truck in your 2026 giving.