LILLIAN, Ala. - When the Lillian Volunteer Fire Department heard of the Jena Fire Department's and Cordova Fire Department's troubles, it answered the call.

Jena is a town located near Tuscaloosa and Cordova a city located close to Birmingham, and both were affected by the tornadoes that hit northern Alabama around a month ago. Jones said he heard the town's fire departments were wiped out, losing fire trucks, buildings, gear, radios and many other supplies and recourses.

However, the Lillian firefighters donated a pumper truck named "Kermit" to the Jena firefighters and an aerial snorkel truck to the Cordova firefighters in hopes they can find a way to continue to serve the areas even with limited recourses.

"This was done by coordinating with the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Volunteer Firefighters Association," interim fire chief Stephen Jones said. "Our board of directors in talking with me and everything, they decided to do this."

The trucks received new hoses and all new tires. A total of 10 sets of firefighter gear, radios and a self-contained breathing apparatus also were donated to the affected towns.

"We spent a week making sure everything is serviced," Jones said.

The reason for doing it, Jones said, is because of the "brotherhood" shared from one fire department to another. The Cordova and Jena Fire Departments are volunteer staffed, just like the Lillian department.

"It will be fore a worthwhile cause to get them back on their feet," Lillian firefighter Andrew Gnoza III stated in an email.

The Lillian firefighters brought the trucks to Cordova and Jena Wednesday. Residents and media in Jena held a warm reception to welcome the gift called Kermit.

"When people need help, that's what we're here for. We could be in this shape needing all this, too," Jones said. "After the hurricanes, we got a lot of help down here.

"We try and the main thing is we know it will be appreciated," Jones said.