Jason Arndt, jarndt@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Fire Chief Robbie Woldt says firefighters are able to remain seated while fighting fires on the new Polaris Ranger 570 acquired by the Bonduel Area Fire Department. It has been used four times since the middle of March.
A new utility terrain vehicle acquired by the Bonduel Area Fire Department has already been field-tested four times since it arrived in mid-March.
The Polaris Ranger 570 UTV is equipped with a slide-on unit containing a 75-gallon water tank, motor and a storage area.
“We have already been out four times this year, and last year we only went out for one grass fire,” Bonduel Fire Chief Robbie Woldt said.
The vehicle, including a trailer and other pieces of equipment, cost about $17,000, Woldt said. A $3,260 Wisconsin Forest Fire Protection grant from the Department of Natural Resources and local donors paid for the vehicle.
Woldt said the UTV can go where fire trucks cannot.
“This is an off-road vehicle,” he said. “You can’t take the trucks out there, so this can get people out to the fire. It saves firefighters’ health and fatigue. … They can even stay seated in the vehicle and point the hose directly at the fire.”
Woldt said he became interested in obtaining a UTV after the Shawano Area Fire Department, which has three of them, assisted Bonduel with a fire in 2014.
“Last year we had a cornfield on fire, and requested Shawano to come out here,” Woldt said. “And after watching Shawano do what they do with their UTV, it saves firefighters health and maintains safety.”
Woldt noted all four deployments this spring were in response to mutual aid requests.
“That unit goes anywhere in Shawano County, even beyond, even in Keshena if requested,” Woldt said. “We will take it and help them.”
The vehicle arrived at an appropriate time. Gov. Scott Walker last week declared a state of emergency to deal with elevated wildfire conditions.
“It’s been busy, as dry as it, as windy as it is,” Woldt said. “(I’m) hopeful it does not get worse.”
Donors contributing to Bonduel’s UTV fund included Grunewald Excavating, Bonduel Polar Bear Snowmobile Club, Bonduel Emergency Medical Service, Bonduel Area Fireman’s Fund, June Bethke, Smitty Parts and World Wide Signs.
“The members of the fire department want to thank everyone for this needed equipment,” Woldt said.