Fire District 15 board addresses pumper truck replacement

BRIDGEPORT – A replacement pumper truck for a 1984 Mack veteran, housed at the Douglas Okanogan County Fire District (DOCFD) 15 Station 40 at Rocky Butte on Bridgeport Bar, was the main topic of discussion during the regular meeting of the DOCFD 15 Board of Commissioners last Monday, July 31.

Commissioners began looking for a “newer” used pumper a couple of months ago, said district chief, Bill Vallance. A likely candidate, a 1997 Pierce – Arrow 4x4 in Eugene, Oregon, fits within the district’s budget allowance so the board is dispatching a couple of knowledgeable volunteers to check out the engine’s condition and operating capabilities before proceeding with purchase negotiations.

As for the Mack on hand, the board had a couple of ideas for its disposition.

“It’s either going to be surplused or we have some needs in the Alta Lake area,” said Vallance, “but we don’t know how much money we want to put back into this thing,”

Vallance said the Mack is “falling apart” with many components in need of replacement.

“We need to replace the pump and engine and several other items like electronics,” said Vallance. “As far as engines, this is the oldest in our fleet.”

 “We had all our trucks pump-tested and this one didn’t fare so well last month,” said Vallance