‘New’ Sisters-Camp Sherman water tender an Afghanistan veteran
The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District has placed a new water tender in service at the Camp Sherman fire station. The water tender is a 2005 model that was previously used at the Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan.
The water tender replaces a 1968 model that had reached the end of its service life. The new tender has an automatic transmission, power steering and modern brakes and suspension, which makes it safer for firefighters to drive.
The water tender was purchased through the Firefighter Property Program, which is designed to re-purpose government owned assets at the local level. Agencies purchasing vehicles through the program have to pay for shipping and any improvements to the vehicle.
The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District paid $3,225 for the vehicle and expects to invest another $20,000 painting and installing the necessary equipment on the tender. Fire Chief Roger Johnson said, “This is great value for our community. A new water tender can cost over $200,000.”
This is the third vehicle the fire district has purchased through similar federal surplus programs.
The 1968 water tender, along with a 1989 Ford F-350 service vehicle, have been declared surplus by the fire district and sealed bids are being accepted at this time. For more information on the surplus vehicles, contact the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District at 541-549-0771 or visit the website at www.sistersfire.com.
