By ELLE HUTCHINSON
Barton County Media Consultant
The Barton County Commission recently ratified the purchase of a 2003 Stewart and Stevenson fire truck for Fire District No. 1, helping strengthen emergency response efforts for the Claflin area and surrounding communities.
The truck was purchased from the Deerfield Fire Department in Missouri for $16,150, using funds already available within the Fire District No. 1 budget. Proceeds from the sale of an older department vehicle will also help offset a significant portion of the cost, making the upgrade a practical and efficient investment.
Local fire officials explained that the department’s previous brush truck had become increasingly unreliable, particularly due to pump issues that affected its ability to safely and effectively respond during emergencies. With recent brush fires and increased mutual aid calls across the region, dependable equipment has become even more important.
The newly purchased truck will allow the department to better utilize a larger donated skid unit and improve response capabilities during grass fires, rural fire calls, and mutual aid situations. It also ensures more firefighters can actively respond when needed, rather than being limited by equipment availability.
Commissioners noted that replacing the unit with a brand-new truck would have cost significantly more, making this purchase a smart and cost-conscious solution that improves service without unnecessary expense.
Most importantly, the new truck means Fire District No. 1 can continue protecting residents with reliable equipment, stronger response capacity, and better support for neighboring departments when emergencies arise.