Tender 6 started life as a milk truck, picking up raw milk at the dairies and taking it to be processed. After it had served many years and miles in that duty, it was modified to become a fire tender. So that it would fit in our fire hall along with the other tender it was shortened, and therein lied the problem. The mods severly affected the handling, and while driving a truck loaded with 2000 gallons of water is never fun, this one was downright scary. It had the feeling of driving a boat, you sort of guided it the general direction you wished to travel. Very exciting going over Fernbridge with it.

After one of the assistant chiefs drove it recently the descision was made to retire it so that its replacement will become more of a priority. Funds are always an issue, so anyone want to buy us a tender? (Why is it a tender, well you can’t call it a tanker, because in fire lingo that is an airplane that drops water.)