SPEARFISH, S.D. – A retired Spearfish fire engine will soon begin a second life serving firefighters in Nemo.
The Spearfish City Council voted Monday to declare a 2002 Spartan Type 1 fire truck surplus and donate it to the Nemo Volunteer Fire Department. The truck, formerly known as Spearfish Engine 3, is designed for fighting structure and vehicle fires and is equipped with a 750-gallon water tank and a pump capable of delivering 1,250 gallons of water per minute.
Assistant Fire Chief Brian Ziegler said the vehicle remains operational but was replaced after more than 20 years of service. He noted that industry recommendations call for fire apparatus to be replaced after about 15 years, though many smaller rural departments continue to operate much older equipment because of limited budgets.
When Spearfish received its new Engine 3, department leaders hoped the retired truck could be passed on to a department in need. The Nemo Volunteer Fire Department was selected in part because it has adequate facilities to house the larger vehicle.
In a letter to the Spearfish Fire Department, Nemo Fire Chief Justin Henrichsen expressed appreciation for the donation, saying the department would not have been able to purchase a truck of that caliber on its own. He said the donation will significantly improve the department’s ability to protect the community.
The transfer is also expected to benefit another rural department. Once the donated Spearfish engine enters service in Nemo, the department plans to pass along one of its older fire trucks to another agency in need.
Fire officials say the donation highlights the importance of cooperation among regional departments, helping ensure rural communities have access to reliable emergency equipment despite limited resources.
