SPOKANE, Wash. – A local fire district has recently gained some new tools to keep people safe during wildfire season.
And they call them, brush trucks.
They’re customized F550 – Ford trucks that Spokane County Fire District 8 received just yesterday.
“We want to make sure our folks drive it around and make sure everything is working just great. And make sure that everyone knows how to use this, so when we need it in this fire season, they’re equipped, trained, and ready to respond,” says Spokane County District 8 Fire Chief, Kenny Erben.
The funds to pay for the brush trucks came from proposition one, which was passed in April of last year.
Prior to the new arrivals, the fire district had been using the same brush trucks for the past 25 years. It was a well awaited upgrade for them.
“Our funding depends solely on residents within our district here in District 8, and we try to be good stewards and put those dollars to the best use that we can. Obviously, we’ve really helped stretch our past brush trucks for 25 years, and we’re hoping to do the same here,” says Erben.
These trucks are custom built to perform in wildfire season, ensuring firefighters are prepared then. Each truck holds up to 400 gallons of water, and 4 seats inside the vehicle, enough to fit a full fire crew.
Fire training begins next month in February. Once completed, the trucks will be used to help fight brush fires in the Spokane community.
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