The new forestry truck was purchased on a state bid from a dealer in Maine. Since then it’s been fitted out with forest fire fighting equipment. Photos: Jake Otis

Thanks to the support of the people of Andover, we were able to purchase a 2016 Ford 550 four-wheel drive vehicle to serve as our forestry truck. The truck was purchased on State bid.

Thanks to the efforts of Stephen Barton, a dealer was found that handles this size truck in Bangor, Maine. Stephen and I made the long trek to the dealer; we signed for the truck, had a great lunch, and headed home. Five-plus hours in heavy rain and driving wind, and a detour, made for an exhausting trip home. Seeing the truck in the station made the trip well worth the effort.

With the help of Stephen and Jake Johnson, the truck was sent to Global Truck Traders in Winchester to have an aluminum platform body installed. The next trip was to Dale’s Paint and Place in Newport to be lettered.

As the firemen were leaving for Newport to pick up the truck, we received a fire call. Our thanks to Stephen’s wife, Meghan, and his mother, Gail, for retrieving the truck for us. The fire department is very much a family team.

The next installation was the fire skid unit built by Kimtek Corporation in Orleans, Vermont. This is the pump, tank, and hose reel that is mounted on the platform.

After that, teams mounted the tool boxes and wired the skid unit. The next installation is the fire radio, emergency lights, and siren. That should take place within the next few weeks. Then we will install hose and other forestry equipment and start training to use the pump and other systems that are unique to forestry. The truck will be in service for firefighting soon.

It has been a very exciting journey, from design to requesting funds to the very positive vote and comments of the voters at Town Meeting. Our forest fire warden Stephen Barton has taken the lead and with the help of the firefighters has made this project a reality.