After nearly a year of work, Grant County Fire District 5’s newest water tender is on the road for fire season.
The former propane truck, one of two chassis the district purchased for about $70,000 from Canada, was built by district personnel, not only allowing the district to save money, but giving them the ability to customize the tender with equipment they know works for wildfires in the area.
“We build them to our needs,” Chief Dan Smith said. “We know what works.”
Buying a new, fully-built water tender can cost up to $200,000, Smith added. Smith said work included shortening the chassis, having the 3,000-gallon water tank built, and installing plumbing, storage compartments and electronics, including an electronically-operated front nozzle, a first for the district.