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Sumas fire district converting army truck to emergency vehicle

The modified vehicle can fight wildfires and assist during floods

The 2002 Stevenson army truck that Fire District 14 is turning into an emergency response vehicle.
The 2002 Stevenson army truck that Fire District 14 is turning into an emergency response vehicle. (Photo Courtesy of Whatcom County Fire District 14)
By Jonathan Tall News Intern

Whatcom County District 14 fire officials have acquired a surplus U.S. Army truck that they will convert to combat wildfires and help with floods.

The 2002 Stevenson M-1083 is a 5-ton, 6-wheel-drive truck that will be stationed in Sumas, district officials announced. The truck also will be used as a high-water rescue vehicle for floods — like the November disaster when the Nooksack River breached its banks. 

“There are all these different forestry areas that we go to — wildfires aren’t a daily thing, but it has the potential to be,” said David Moe, assistant fire chief. 

The truck will be equipped with a tank, pump and hose that the district’s 65 volunteer crew hopes will be effective against potential wildfires near Sumas. The district has stations in Sumas, Maple Falls and Deming.

Moe hopes modifications on the truck will be completed by the time the dry season arrives, but supply chain issues are delaying progress. 

“When I ask the dealers for some [parts] they’ve been saying it’ll take 20 weeks,” Moe said. “But my goal is to have it ready for summer.” 

Moe pursued getting a surplus truck after seeing how the state National Guard utilized them in the November floods.

He contacted the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for help. The DNR located a vehicle through the Firefighter Property Program. The state is helping to pay the shipping costs to the district with a $20,000 grant. 

Moe said the district has used the DNR’s property program to obtain three long-haul trucks that were converted to water tankers.


The new truck will replace one of the firefighters’ vehicles that is no longer in service. Because the truck was originally used as a troop carrier, the district is confident it will have the necessary room for fire fighting equipment and carrying loads of people. 

Moe said the potential for fire near Sumas is real with the wide range of foothills and forests where people camp and recreate during warmer weather. Unattended campfires and discarded cigarette butts increase the risk.

“Fires on the west side [of Washington] are typically started by people,” he said.

Some of the other risks in northeast Whatcom County are agricultural field fires that can spread during significant wind storms and people lighting fireworks near dry woodpiles in logging areas.

While fire officials expect to mostly use the new truck to fight fires, they are preparing for potential flooding. 

“We’re all praying that we don’t have to use this truck for a flood,” Moe said. 

The Sumas station has one 6-wheel-drive tanker that isn’t suited for carrying people. During the November floods, district firefighters relied on the agrarian community’s tractors to help evacuate people. 

Moe said that the new vehicle will be able to drive through a couple of feet of water to transport people to safety. 

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