Charlo-Moiese fire department purchases new truck

The Charlo-Moiese Volunteer Fire Department recently added a new fire truck to its fleet.

The department took ownership of the 2019 Freightliner pumper-tender combo last fall. According to the department, the truck can haul 1,500 gallons water and has a 1,800-gallon port-a-tank to dump into if needed as a tender for water shuttles. The truck also comes with a 1,250 gpm pump system.

Two 1.75-inch attack hose lines are ready to be used, as well as the front monitor and rear booster reel which can operate under a high-pressure setting. Foam is also available along with all other necessary firefighting equipment, the department noted.

“When we ordered the truck we tried to get all of the bells and whistles that we could at the time. We were limited to some options as we only had one year to get the truck and were limited by the manufacturer to what was already built as stock units.” Fire Chief Joel Fuhrmann.

The total cost of the truck was over $325,000. Fuhrmann noted that it took multiple grant applications to get the funding secured. $300,000 came from the FEMA-Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) Program.

The rest of the money came from fundraisers, Fuhrmann said.

“We cannot thank the residents of Charlo and Moiese as well as the entire Mission Valley who show up every April at our annual fundraiser,” he said. “Without the local businesses who donate items to auction and for all who show up, eat dinner and make purchases at the fundraiser: we would not be able to afford a truck like this.”

Once the department got the truck from Heiman Fire in Sioux Falls, South Dakota they held a driver’s safety training with the new truck. The department does a driver’s safety refresher every year to ensure that all members feel comfortable with operating the different trucks.

The department has have installed a radio and added two SCBA packs, and finished getting all of the hose for attack lines installed as well as hydrant supply line.

“We have trained with this truck a couple of times and will do more in the near future,” Fuhrmann said. “This truck has been a huge asset to our fleet and has already been used on multiple calls.”

He said the truck improves the department’s services in the Charlo-Moiese area, as well as its ability to provide mutual aid to fire departments in Ronan, Mission and Dixon.

“Now if we need to provide a tender to another district we will have one left to cover calls in our district,” Fuhrmann said.

The truck will be on display at the department’s annual fundraiser on April 11 at the Charlo School gym.

The department currently has 14 volunteer members. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Fuhrmann at 406-531-1315.