“It’s a 1991 (model) with 140,000 or 150,000 miles on it, and we’re starting to see quite a few mechanical breakdowns,” Fire Chief Ryan Hall said.

One of the last straws came a couple of summers ago when the three-quarter-ton Chevy fire truck had to be towed to Missoula for repair.

“There’s nothing more embarrassing than having a fire department rig on a tow truck going through town,” said Hall.