Departments to share new emergency vehicle
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Finding and helping lost or injured Bella Vistans just became a lot easier. On Nov. 13, the Bella Vista Police and the Fire departments, as a result of a joint grant application, received a 2008 Polaris Ranger 6 X 6 Utility Vehicle.
The vehicle will be especially useful in the Bella Vista terrain when the police are searching for lost people or are trying to reach people down in a ravine, Police Lt. Tim Cook said. The six-wheel drive makes it very maneuverable.
The Fire Department could use it to fight brush fires.
The winch on the front would make it possible to pull down a burning tree and drag it out of the fire, Fire Chief Steve Sims said.
It will also be very useful for the Fourth of July and during the craft festival, Wozniak said. During the Independence Day holiday the police have to manage the crowds and a fairly large parking area.
The craft fair requires officers to provide security and manage parking over several large fields.
The new vehicle will make it possible for them to respond more quickly to problems, Wozniak said.
They got the $ 11, 500 vehicle after applying for a grant from the U. S. Smokeless Tobacco Company’s Operation Ranger Program.
The six-wheeled vehicle, with allwheel drive, can tow 1, 500 pounds or carry a 1, 200 pound load in the back. Amenities are few. It comes equipped with brake lights, head lights, seat belts and a speedometer.
In January, Cook, Sims and Officer Robert Krantz (who has since moved to Florida ) wrote the grant application.
One of the reasons they received the grant was the police and fire departments are going to share the vehicle, Cook said.
“ The most important thing is to serve the community, ” Cook said. “ It’s a tool for all the residents of Bella Vista. ”
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