WALHALLA — Just as old soldiers, Oconee Rural Fire Department fire trucks don’t die, they just fade away.

Such is the case with two 1980s model fire engines to be replaced with brand new models at the Fair Play and Mountain Rest fire departments. The county is paying $685,000 for the two 2009 custom-made trucks, Emergency Services Director and Rural Fire Chief Rodney Burdette said Wednesday.

“The orders will be placed this week by procurement, and on average, it takes about eight months for delivery,” Burdette said. “We’re hoping they can be delivered sooner.”

Spartan Fire & Emergency Apparatus, a Spartanburg-based dealer of fire trucks serving all of South Carolina since 1973, was awarded the procurement contract.

Fair Play Fire Chief Larry Wilkerson said his 1986 model fire truck being replaced has served the community well.

“That truck in ’86 replaced our original 1964 truck,” Wilkerson said.

Fair Play has two fire engines and several other trucks at its disposal to service the southernmost part of the county, including a four-mile stretch on Interstate 85.

County Administrator Dale Surrett updated the Oconee County Council on Tuesday night on the purchase of the two fire trucks. He said the truck for Mountain Rest also is custom made to help firefighters reach narrower roads.

Council Chairman George Blanchard wondered what happens to the trucks being replaced.

Surrett said the trucks might be passed along to other departments that have older trucks than the ones being replaced at Fair Play and Mountain Rest. If not, Surrett said the trucks would be sold to the highest bidder on www.govdeal.com, which is a Web site used by Oconee to sell its old equipment.