Polson Rural Fire District receives funds for new equipment
Rob Zolman
Polson Rural Fire Department's new truck
Rob Zolman
Standing with a check representing funds for new firefighting equipment for their new water tender truck, above, are from left: Fire Chief Gordon Gieser, District Board Chairman Fred Nelson, membership treasurer/secretary Jane Clapp and membership president Jeff Veach.
Rob Zolman
Rob Zolman
Rob Zolman
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POLSON – Polson Rural Fire membership representatives presented a check to the Polson Rural Fire District Friday morning to help purchase a new 2,500-gallon tactical tender truck recently added to the district’s firefighting fleet.
A press statement released by the Polson Rural Fire Membership, a 501(c)(3) group which consists of members who provide volunteer emergency services to the Polson Rural Fire District, stated the membership is glad to be able to present a check for $10,000 toward the purchase of the new equipment, which will greatly enhance the department’s ability to protect the community.
Gordon Gieser, Polson Rural Fire District fire chief, received the generous donation. He said the water truck was needed due to limited hydrants available in the rural district. “Adding an additional water supply that we can deliver to an incident point just makes everybody’s job a little easier,” he said.
According to Gieser, the funds will be used to purchase rescue tools, hoses, warning lights, sirens, a light bar and a state-of-the-art bumper mounted high-pressure water cannon called a monitor.
Gieser added that the monitor could be controlled remotely from the cab of the vehicle, which is great for getting water on fires as soon as possible. “On a wildland fire or an initial attack on a house fire, we will be able to pull up and hit it with water almost instantly, allowing for a quicker knock-down, potentially saving lives and property,” he said. “In this business, time is of the essence.”
Unit WT-310 will be ready for service once the new equipment has been added to the tactical tender.
The unit was once a military vehicle and comes to the department through the federal excess property program at no cost to the community. The new shiny red-paint job was also provided at no charge through the Montana State Prison job-training program.
The water tank and the storage boxes were all purchased through fundraisers hosted by the Polson Rural Fire Membership and funds obtained by Polson Rural Firefighters. According to Gieser, the truck’s primary mission is to meet the service needs of the Polson rural community and provide mutual aid with neighboring departments. The truck will also be available for contracted services for federal firefighting agencies.
