Cole County Fire Protection District gets new truck

The Cole County Fire Protection District has received a new 3,000-gallon tanker that will honor a longtime firefighter and assistant chief who died last year.

The truck, manufactured by Danko Emergency Equipment in Nebraska, is the second large purchase the district has made since voters in Cole, Osage and Miller counties approved a tax increase in November 2018.

District spokesman Steve Cearlock said the tanker will replace a 1980s piece of equipment. It will be stationed at Station 1 on County Park Road.

"The tanker will enhance the ability to deliver much needed water to rural areas with no fire hydrants," Cearlock said. "The tanker can dump the full 3,000 gallons in two minutes into a 3,000-gallon portable tank, which came with the tanker. The tanker will complement the district's fleet of tankers to provide much needed water to the fire scene."

The driver's door shows the name of Assistant Chief Robbie Hammann, who always drove 1110. The truck is a tribute to Hammann, who died in December.

As funds become available, the district will continue to replace trucks that are more than 10 years old, Cearlock said.