BONNERS FERRY — The snap and hiss of a fire, smoke billowing up from a place that it is not wanted. That is the time when the familiar wailing of an approaching fire truck’s siren is a welcomed sound. In Boundary County, however, there are places that even a fire truck may not be able to reach.

Enter the Type 4 Wildland Engine, a Light Medium Terrain Vehicles that South Boundary Fire Protection District has in their lineup of fire protection vehicles. The monstrous six wheel drive was formerly a military vehicle. It is a five ton truck made by Stewart and Stevenson, originally used for military crew transport.

South Boundary has recently received a second version of this vehicle. The original one has proved its usefulness time and again against fires, as well as amazing people with its sheer size, in parades and the Boundary County Fair.

“People constantly look at them and wave,” said South Boundary District Fire Chief Tony Rohrwasser. “Many stop to look and ask questions.

“They came from the military, through a grant through Idaho Department of Lands,” explained Rohrwasser, “and they are free to qualifying agencies.”

They don’t come ready to fight fires. A lot of time and effort, with great attention to detail, goes into these truck. “We are required to paint them and put our logo or name on it, operate them for two years and then the title is given to us,” said Rohrwasser.

They also wire in the pump systems, install emergency lighting, siren, vhf radio and any striping, performing all of this work in their station. The only thing not done there is the painting, which they send the big trucks out for. “This makes the equipment very affordable,” said Rohrwasser.

The completed truck sports a Type 4 Forest Service slip in assembly on the back that contains the pump, boxes and tank. The red completed truck, designation #662, came to South Boundary with only 3,000 miles on it. The new project truck came with 12,000 miles on it. “The highest miles I have seen in this program,” explained Rohrwasser.

These trucks will be used in the summer months as a Wildland Type 4 Engine and for structure protection, sporting a huge 850 gallon water tank. In the winter they will don skidder chains and be used as structure engine to reach areas that the standard engines cannot, due to the snow.

“They drive surprisingly well,” said Rohrwasser. “They are governed to run at a maximum speed of 55 miles per hour, they will pull 55 on most hills. Good power and good handling. The tires can be inflated or deflated to match the road conditions with a push of a button.”

The original price tag is still on the windows of the trucks when they arrive. The newest still wears its sticker with pride, coming in at about $128,000.

They currently have five vehicles received with grants through Idaho Department of Lands: a 4x4 Structure Engine, a 2,500 Gallon Water Tender, the 2 Wildland Engines, and a Unimog Crane. They have also received two generators on trailers, a portable diesel water pump, and two full sets of 24 volt LED lights. “We are currently in the system with a request for another Stewart and Stevenson 2,500 lb. truck with a box to turn into a rehab/command vehicle,” said Rohrwasser.

“The Water Tenders have saved us many times due to their ability to go off road,” explained Rohrwasser. “Our 4x4 Structure Engine has also been used on very tough roads where we can not get a traditional structure engine.”

One of the generator came to South Boundary with only three hours on it. “Most of these units are near new or refurbished completely,” said Rohrwasser. “This has been an excellent grant program for ours and many other departments in North Idaho.”

Through creative use of a great program, and hard work done by the South Boundary Firefighters, Boundary County is that much safer from the all consuming danger of fire.