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Commissioners discuss replacing aging fire apparatus, direct staff to pursue options
Summary
Daniels County commissioners heard that several fire vehicles have broken down during responses and authorized staff to pursue options including purchasing a used 2008 Ford brush truck (advertised at about $45,000), exploring surplus/abandoned-vehicle acquisition, and investigating low-interest loan or grant programs.
Commissioners spent an extended portion of the meeting considering the county's aging fire apparatus and options to ensure dependable response vehicles. Presenters and commissioners said multiple vehicles have failed in recent responses and parts are increasingly difficult to find, prompting discussion about replacing or repurposing units.
Board members discussed a fully equipped 2008 Ford 4x4 brush truck advertised at about $45,000 and an available abandoned pickup that could be acquired through county surplus procedures; they also discussed loan and grant options through regional agencies such as Great Northern (Wolf Point) and state intercap loans. One participant summarized options: obtain a ready unit, buy a chassis and build a body, or pursue a used vehicle and outfit it for county needs.
Commissioners also raised practical constraints: vehicle length and fit in the county garage, winterizing tanker conversions, training and maintenance capacity, and insurance/liability implications for older apparatus. The board discussed a 7,000-gallon two-axle tanker trailer that could be converted from fuel to water use but noted the tractor and winterization needs such an option would require.
No formal procurement vote was taken; the board instructed staff to research the advertised 2008 truck's dimensions and availability, pursue the abandoned vehicle paperwork if warranted, check loan/grant eligibility, and return with firm cost and fit information at a future meeting. Commissioners emphasized the urgency of replacing unreliable apparatus to maintain safe response capability.
