By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Sometimes smaller is better. The Barton County Landfill currently owns a 1969 fire truck, originally from the city of Claflin, to help fight fires at the waste facility. But the large truck has been known to get stuck. Tuesday morning, Solid Waste Director Jennifer Hamby sought approval from the Barton County Commission to purchase a smaller truck.
"For some time, the Solid Waste Department has taken measures to assure fire suppression," she said. "There are thermal cameras monitoring disposal areas and staff always assures proper coverage. Even with these activities, the disposal areas are still prone to fire."
Commissioner Duane Reif located a 1996 Ford F350 Brush Fire Truck owned by the city of Wilson for sale on Purplewave.com. The truck includes a 300-gallon water tank. Skeptical at first, Reif learned the truck has a new computer board and the radiator and alternator were recently replaced.
"I did talk to the mechanic at Wilson who did all the work on it," said Reif. "He assured me there is not a thing wrong with this pick-up and it will do anything we ever wanted it to do."
The city of Wilson purchased a different truck to better meet its needs. The commission approved the purchase of the brush truck for $14,300. The old fire truck will be donated to the Barton County Historical Society or sold at the upcoming county auction.