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Volunteers, commissioners weigh options to replace Daniels County's aging fire truck
Summary
Volunteers and commissioners reviewed quotes and financing for a replacement fire truck, discussing used-chassis options, DNRC bed arrangements, intercap loans and a staged fundraising plan to reach an attainable target rather than buy a $200,000+ vehicle outright.
Volunteer fire officials presented commissioners with multiple paths to replace an aging apparatus, including used chassis fitted with locally fabricated beds, DNRC-supplied beds (with conditions), and new fully equipped trucks. Two brand-new quotes from 2023 were cited: one vendor's ‘‘wildland’’/brush truck at $195,000 and a larger brush truck at $275,000; volunteers said lower-cost used chassis in the $30,000–$70,000 range with in‑house conversions were more realistic for the county’s budget.
Commissioners and volunteers discussed financing options, including staged fundraising, applying for grants, or using an intercap loan. Staff ran a sample five-year loan scenario and noted an illustrative annual payment of roughly $9,000 for a $40,000 loan at about 5 percent. Volunteer and commissioner speakers emphasized setting a concrete target and creating a plan to seed and sustain replacement purchases on a 5–7 year rotation rather than pursuing a single large purchase that could burden the county budget.
