HUBBARDSTON - Brush fire season is on the horizon and Fire Chief Robert Hayes has a vehicle parked behind the station at 2 Gardner Road ready for the challenge.In the past, firefighters went to brush fires with Engine 4 and a pickup truck.
The truck is a 1998 six-wheel, all-wheel drive vehicle with 8,600 miles on the odometer.“Next year we’ll probably paint it red and see what else it might need, but for the time being, the plan is to get it outfitted and ready to go,” Chief Hayes said.
He said the vehicle was acquired at no cost to the town other than the outfitting and maintenance costs.“If and when we no longer need it or plan to use it, we have to let them know in case they want it back,” the chief said.The fire chief said the town currently doesn’t have the cash to replace Engine 4, and the brush truck will be housed in the bay where Engine 4 had been.
“Engine 4 had been an additional water supply for structure fires, but the surplus truck will be only used for brush fire response,” he explained.
He said ultimately the department will move to the new public safety site on the former Department of Conservation and Recreation parcel on Gardner Road.
“Right now the trucks and equipment are housed at 2 Gardner Road, while the department office is located at 48 Gardner Road. I’m looking forward to the day when we have everything under one roof,” the chief said.