Poudre Canyon gets refurbished firefighting truck

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

It's old to the U.S. military but new to the Poudre Canyon Fire Protection District. To the Colorado State Forest Service, it's a work of art.

On Oct. 28, state foresters delivered a refurbished 2.5-ton, 6x6 truck, decked out with firefighting apparatus, to the Poudre Canyon volunteers. It will replace two well-aged trucks that may or may not find a new life elsewhere.

"It's like Christmas," said firefighter Fred Handy.

Historically, the CSFS fire equipment shop has converted excess military equipment into fire-fighting equipment that provides rural departments with fire protection they would otherwise not be able to afford. CSFS mechanics make sure the apparatus is sound and then fabricate a firefighting package that suits the needs of the rural department. The truck delivered to Poudre Canyon can carry 900 gallons of water to a fire and release 250 gallons a minute.

"It's made for wildland fires," said Boyd Lebeda, Fort Collins district forester, "but it could help on a structural fire."

The truck can also make multiple trips to a fire, releasing its water cargo into holding tanks on each trip.

It took about five months to fabricate this truck's new equipment. The water-holding tank is galvanized inside and out so it won't rust, and it serves as the truck bed, allowing the truck to carry other equipment as well. A low center of gravity makes the truck more stable as it navigates mountain roads.

"It's pretty good off road," Lebeda said, adding that this truck could easily serve the department for 30 years.

The new truck will be housed at Station 3 at Spencer Heights. Assistant fire chief Bob Stahl noted that all four of the canyon's stations are heated so that water in the trucks won't freeze.

Established in 1959, the all-volunteer fire department serves 130 square miles along Highway 14 and north to the Shambhala Mountain Center. The district has one paved road. An emergency medical services division was added in 1992. Ambulances are posted at the fire stations in Poudre Park and Poudre City.

Volunteer help and financial donations are always welcome. Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the not-for-profit Cache la Poudre Fire and Emergency Group and mailed to P.O. Box 364, LaPorte, CO 80535-0364.