Gosper County receives used fire truck

Post date: Aug 27, 2009 12:14:28 AM

LINCOLN -- The Gosper County Rural Fire Department has received a used 4x4 pumper/crash rescue truck with assistance from the Nebraska Forest Service.

Through the Federal Excess Personal Property Program, the Nebraska Forest Service, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, is able to obtain certain types of vehicles that no longer are needed by the federal government. These vehicles are reconditioned and loaned to cooperating rural fire districts.

The Nebraska Forest Service placed the Gosper County truck on loan with the department for $5,200, said Lew Sieber, Nebraska Forest Service fire equipment manager.

After paying the transportation and repair fees, Gosper County needed only to paint the truck a fire-related color, Sieber said. In addition to the paint, the department also purchased a new light bar, spending a total of $5,000 to refurbish the truck.

"In 1988, this truck cost the federal government $165,000," said Sieber. "At today's prices, a truck with similar capabilities would easily exceed $250,000."

Members of the Gosper County VFD viewed the truck on display at the 2008 NSVFA State Fire School in Grand Island, and after test driving it, unanimously agreed that it had all the capabilities needed by a fire truck in a rural setting, both on and off road.

Gosper County Fire Chief Kearn Gydeson spearheaded the drive to receive permission from the rural board to pay the fees and accept responsibility for the truck while it is on loan.

"This program is a real asset to Nebraska fire departments in times of limited budgets," said Gydeson.

This program averages about 50 trucks a year being placed with volunteer fire departments around the state. Currently, there are about 400 pieces of equipment placed in about 180 fire departments throughout the state.

For more information about this program please contact Sieber at (402) 624-8061. Published in the Lexington Clipper-Herald on line at http://www.lexch.com