The Spokane Fire Department sold six vehicles at an auction Saturday morning. Five went to a Cheney man who’ll sell them for parts; the other was picked up by a farmer and developer who intends to use it to protect his family’s farm in Valley, Washington.
Jim Paladin, his daughter Crystal Martin and son-in-law Jesse Martin, purchased the single fire truck for $1,600. They intend to use it to protect their 400-acre property in rural Stevens County, where they are developing a retreat. He said the retreat is still a few years away, but their plan is to make it a place where pastors can go when they’re feeling drained and need a break.
Paladin said he also intends to decorate the firetruck with political signs and drive it in parades with the Stevens County Republican Central Committee, where he is a precinct chair.