Cloverdale adds to firefighting arsenal

The Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District has added a pair of 3,500 gallon water tenders to their fire fighting arsenal, giving the agency enough water on wheels to fight any structure fire that might occur in the area.

According to Cloverdale Assistant Fire Chief Dave Harris, the big tanker trucks were purchased from the Bend fire department, which has a mutual assistance agreement with the Cloverdale district, for $14,500 apiece.

"They let us have them for a real bargain," Harris said. He said the equipment should last the district for 10 years.

"They're going to be a real boon to us," Harris said. They'll almost double our capacity to move water."

The tenders are armed with deck guns on top of the water tank, which allow firefighters to put water on a blaze from a safe distance. The trucks are also equipped with hydraulic pumps that allow them to disgorge all 3,500 gallons of water into portable ground tanks in about for minutes, so they can make repeated runs to shuttle water to a major blaze.

Harris said the district hopes their added fire fighting capacity will lead to a lower insurance rating for district residents.

The district plans to remodel the station on George Cyrus Road to accommodate one of the new tenders. The other tender will be stationed at the south station on Cloverdale Road and Highway 20, to provide coverage at each end of the district.

Harris noted that the district is looking for more volunteer firefighters. Those interested may call 548-4815.