"Endings are sad."
That's how fire officials with Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department broke the news to their Tennessee community that they would be staffing their station for the last time on New Year's Eve -- after 49 years.
"As Rutherford County has grown, the local volunteer fire departments within the county have slowly been replaced by paid fire personnel employed by Rutherford County Government that can man the stations 24/7," officials wrote on the department's Facebook page.
The firefighters may not be standing by ready to respond, they're not done -- not by a longshot.
"While this change is sad, we have two exciting announcements. The two primary fire trucks owned by our department are being sold to Rutherford County. This money is being donated to the newly formed Lascassas Community Center Board who will in the coming weeks begin the process of remodeling our current fire hall into a community center that will we hope serve this community for generations to come," they announced.
Also in the plans are to bring back the infamous Lascassas Fish Fry.
The volunteers also aren't willing to sity idly by either. As the Middle Tennessee Storm Response Team, they will be dispatched to assist in various capacities.
