Karlstad Fire Department receives fire truck through DNR Rural Fire Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 28, 2016 – (RealEstateRama) — The Karlstad Fire Department in northwestern Minnesota now has a significant upgrade to its fire fleet courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources’ Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program.
The new acquisition is a heavy expanded mobility tactical truck with a 2,500-gallon capacity that can pump a thousand gallons per minute. The four axle water tender is better for rough terrain wildland firefighting. The average cost for a new truck of this type runs about $420,000 but through the DNR Rural Fire Department program, the city will pay $4,500 for shipping plus the cost to paint the truck.
“This is a really good use of taxpayer money,” said Karlstad Fire Chief Jeremy Folland. “It’s a rare find and will drive better on dirt or low maintenance roads,” said Folland, who has led the 32-member volunteer fire department since 2005.
Folland said the truck is more efficient than the department’s current 34-year-old water tender and will assist them in the delivery of fire services over a 250 square mile fire district.
Under the property program, DNR Forestry has the authority to get excess military equipment and transfer the equipment to fire departments and emergency service agencies.
Adam Munstenteiger, DNR Warroad area forestry supervisor, views the truck as a valuable asset to the region where other emergency services partners will benefit as well.
“This program and other DNR rural fire programs have strengthened the partnership with the DNR and fire departments,” said Munstenteiger. “These partnerships increase the safety and efficiency of wildland firefighting.”
DNR Forestry Rural Fire Program assistance
Aside from the property program, there are several DNR rural fire department programs available to assist Minnesota fire departments by providing low-cost equipment, cost-share grants, technical assistance and wildland fire training.
The Wildland Fire Equipment Sales program, also known as “fire cache sales,” provides wildland fire suppression equipment to Minnesota fire departments at a low cost.
“Our rural fire program delivers surplus equipment at low cost to communities that might not otherwise afford it,” said Tim Oland, DNR coordinator. “Communities give us their wish lists and we scout surplus programs to suit their needs.”
The Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant program is a cost-share program that provides financial and technical assistance to Minnesota fire departments in cities or communities with a population under 10,000. The primary objectives of the program are saving lives and protecting property in rural areas.
Priority is given to fire departments that have the greatest need and participate in a community wildfire protection plan, or a county all hazard mitigation plan.
The Karlstad Fire Department recently completed their community wildlife protection plan, which included three criteria—collaboration with local and state governments, prioritized areas for fuel reduction treatments and recommendations for measures that homeowners and communities can take to reduce the ignitability of structures throughout the area in the plan.
“We are excited about this truck and proud of the strong relationship we are building with the area DNR office and rural fire program,” said Todd Carlson, a volunteer firefighter who helped develop the Karlstad community fire plan. “Everyone we have worked with at the DNR has been great. We can’t say enough about the importance of this acquisition,” Carlson said.
For more information rural fire department assistance programs, wildfire prevention and current wildfire information, visit the rural fire page.
