SIMPSON – After grant funds helped convert a used military truck into a firetruck, the new vehicle has already helped attract four young volunteer firefighters to the Mitchell, Cloud, Ottawa No. 1 Fire Department and provided assistance during the devastating Four County Fire in December.

The department was looking for a truck that had four-wheel drive, could hold a fair amount of water, had good ground clearance and a diesel motor.  An affordable firetruck could not be found. Then, with the help of the Kansas Forest Service and a program called the Federal Access Firefighter Property Program, a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle was acquired. This used military truck met all the department’s requirements and could be converted into a mobile fire unit by adding a firefighting box on the truck.

A Hansen Foundation grant covered the cost of adding a 700-gallon tank, hose reels, lights, siren, pump, and supporting equipment.