After 14 Years of Grant Writing, Dante, SD, Gets Funding for New Tanker

Dante, SD, Fire Department has been applying for a new tanker for nearly 14 years from the federal AFG Grant Program. The department was finally granted an award last summer and contracted with Midwest Fire to build a pumper tanker. The new unit, built on a Freightliner M2 106 cab and chassis, replaces a 1967 military converted 2.5-ton truck. The new Midwest Fire tanker-pumper is the first new truck the department has owned in 70 years and only the third one the department has had in service that is specifically built for the fire service.  It is powered by a Cummins L9 350-hp engine and an Allison 3000EVS  transmission. It is equipped with a Hale MBP 1,000-gpm PTO driven side controls an a 6-inch intake. It also has a Zico electric portable tank carrier, a backup camera, ladder package and three 10-inch dump valves, and Whelen LED light package and scene lights.