Q: Don't you need special training to operate a fire truck?

A: Yes, if you work as a fire fighter and people's lives are at stake you do.  But, these are retired trucks that no longer go through a rigorous periodical certification that Fire Departments require.  These are privately owned and operated with no guarantee of service or performance.  We do plan to test them once a week and keep them as tip top as we can afford.  And John and I figured out all the plumbing and know what everything does - it's way less complicated than it looks.  One person can operate a truck.

Q: Do you need a special drivers license to drive them?

A: Nope.  If they were in the class of trucks that were over 26,000 pounds you'd need a commercial drivers license, but these trucks are under that weight.  Generally speaking, over 26,000 pounds there are air breaks and other special handling requirements.

Q: Why do we need them, we are in a fire district aren't we?

A: Yep, today we are in a district.  But, today it might take 20-40 minutes for help to arrive.  The scenario I always hear is that if a house burns down the later support could still protect the homes around the burnt one.  That's true.  But, the last three fires I helped put out where brush fires that could have easily spread to a house.  That's the direction we need to fight fires.  And that response needs to be quicker.  If we have two trucks on it and three more show up...hey, what can I say...we are covered!!

Q: Do they have license plates?

A: Not at this writing but we are working on it.  Actually, one has California plates right now.  The MVD is SOOO easy to work with as y'all probably know.  But, even though the trucks will rarely, if ever,  go past the mail boxes we'll have them legally licensed. (we estimate that it would cost $12 in fuel to drive one truck to Payson and back)

Q: What if one of these trucks is fighting a fire when the district trucks arrive?

A: Always let the professionals control the scene when they arrive.  If it's out or at least much smaller by the time they get there, what could possibly be wrong with that?  They can even take credit for putting it out...as long as it's out!

Q: Can you call in air support?

A: Yes, I was asked that question.  I answered it with another question.  What?

Q: Isn't there a lot of liability with something like these trucks?

A: Sure.  Everything has risk.  Walking down the street is risky.  Having steps leading to your house is risky.  We all have insurance for that.  These trucks have a combined coverage of $1 million bucks.  That's $500,000 per truck.  Yes, a real fire department has more, lots more.  So, why do we stick our neck out?  Simple, we worry more about fires than we do getting sued.  We bought them to help our community, and we would hope against hope that if we fought a fire on someone's property, and in the process ran over their yard gnome, they wouldn't run to their lawyer!  We also hope that they would have raised their kids to know to not climb all over someone else's vehicle.  Sometimes you just have to do what you feel is right.  Chuck and I did.

And, there are laws to protect people who help others.  It's sad that we need one, but...

Q: If someone donates money to support the trucks are they liable as well as the owners?

A: Hard to tell.  But I'd hope not.  Otherwise, I wouldn't donate to the United Way, Red Cross, or buy girl scout cookies.  I wouldn't financially support the humane society, the woman's club, or the Elks Lodge.  Come on!  If you have donated and you're worried about this possibility you can certainly have your donation back - no problem at all.  Speaking of donations, if you do like the idea of these being up here your support is always welcome!

Note: Donators are NOT liable.  Liability stems only from negligence, carelessness, intentional wrongdoing by the operators.  Owners become liable only when their agents, employees, representatives, etc. are negligent in their hiring, supervision, managing, etc. of the agents, etc.  Passive owners, shareholders, donators, etc. never rise to the levels of liability.

Q: So why now?...at the same time as the big fire district controversy do these trucks appear?

A: Can you spell coincidence?  (I can, only because I have a spell checker)  I bought the first one before we even knew how the vote was going on the district thing.  And two association meetings back (when I was a member) I had brought some printouts from eBay to show everyone we could buy one with the hope that they would also think getting our own truck was a good idea.  They didn't.  Liability and some mumbling.  We weren't even thinking about getting into a fire district that that time.  So, for me, it's not a flash in the pan decision or one I did for any reason other than some great trucks became available close by (Sonora, Ca.) that were perfect for what we needed.  And, I won the bid!  Then we bought its younger sister.

Q: So, should we not be in the fire district because of these?

A: These trucks should not be a part of your decision on this issue....not even a tiny, teeny, weenie little bit.  The trucks are unofficial and are quick response.  There are more than enough things to consider about the district to make the choice of being in or out of a fire district.  People keep dragging these trucks into that little fight and I keep trying to drag them back out again! 

Okay, I think that's about it.  If I think of more or get more questions I'll add them here.  Frankly, Chuck and I bought these out of our own pockets to do something good for the community.  We could afford it and just did it.  Many of you have shown support for our action and many still plan to.

For about 3% of the people in the community there seems to be shock and dismay about what we did.  The other 97% think it was a great idea and they are glad we did it.  As I said, I asked the board about it and they were not interested.  Okay...so? It's not like we did something behind their backs or with their funding or even their risk.  Last time I checked you were allowed to support your community.  Especially when it doesn't raise taxes, take land, or smell bad. (okay, these do smell like old trucks when you get within 10 feet of them, I'll admit that)