While hurricane season has just begun and, technically, brush fire season is over, the Bayshore Fire District is still fighting fires, said Chief Larry Nisbet.
"As a matter of fact we were just at the Hendry County fires, the 10 separate fires in Hendry. We got there at 11:30 p.m. and were released at 3:30 a.m."
He said this brush fire season was "pleasantly normal."
"Conditions having been for major fires, but we haven't had any major fires."
But he did say the new fire truck just delivered to the station will help him, his staff and volunteers better fight fires in rural areas of North Fort Myers.
"We purchased the truck through Pierce Manufacturing and, because it was an addition to our fleet, we were allowed to use our impact fees.
"The one major difference between the pumper we have now and the one we got with a grant four years ago, is that this truck is 4-wheel drive. Really, what that means for us, is during our rainy season, when we have rural non-county maintained roads that typically flood out, we won't have a problem accessing those locations with the proper piece of equipment.
"The new truck is a new pumper but designed specifically to meet our rural road application."
It has a 1,000 gallon water tank and a 1,250 gallon per minute pump, he added.
"The truck is also equipped to deliver five fully outfitted firefighters to the scene which, of course, we would staff with our paid and volunteer personnel."
For budget issues the district is facing right now, Nisbet financed the truck out through a period of 10 years which, he said, allowed them to purchase the truck at a very reasonable price.
The pumper is worth about $398,000. "We purchased this one for $210,000.
"With the addition of this apparatus, it is going to enhance our capabilities to adequately protect the district and the community we assist around us."
