Fire department vehicle fleet increases

Recently, the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department added two vehicles to its capabilities. Chief Mark Collins and Firefighter Opie Love spoke about the additions, a Type 4 Wildland unit and a 3,000-gallon vac truck/Class A pumper.

The "vac truck" has a different kind of pump to it. The tank builds vacuum, allowing firefighters the ability to back up to a river and suck up water.

The truck also has a 3,000-gallon portable tank, which can be deployed and filled from the truck, then utilized as an on-site water supply while the truck reloads. The truck has already been on nine calls, including four days on the Twin Lakes Fire.

Collins noted the trucks belong to the Rural Fire District. The project was started about three years ago, and the district provided $550,000 to spend for it.

Love basically came up with the drawings of how they wanted them built, Collins said, and they started the process of contacting vendors or truck builders and getting prices.

The Type 4 wound up being built in Missoula, Mont., while the vac truck was built in Pennsylvania. Both Collins and Love were impressed with the craftsmanship and work put into the vehicles. The project has cost about $491,000.

While that does not include some items, such as a catwalk on the Wildland unit and adding a toolbox, it will still be well under-budget. The remainder will go back to the district and be put in the truck fund.

As for replacing vehicles, they noted the rescue truck was bought about four years ago, and Engine 1 was purchased about six years back.

While age is a factor in determining when or if vehicles are replaced, it's not the only thing to consider.

They also take into account how well each is running and its capabilities.

The new additions to the department bring the total number of vehicles to 14.