Town of Peshtigo Fire Department adds new engine to fleet

PESHTIGO – The Town of Peshtigo Fire Department recently brought home its newest addition after four years in the making — Engine 205, a custom-built firetruck specifically designed for the town.

Chief Mike Folgert explained that the process to purchase a new truck began in January, 2022, when the department’s secondary truck neared 30 years of service.

“We try to keep them on a 30-year replacement cycle. I know the NFPA — the National Fire Protection Association — recommends 15 years, but in a lot of smaller communities we just cannot do that,” Folgert said.

Though doing less runs meant the engine could last at least 30 years, Folgert knew it was time to look ahead.

A purchasing committee was formed with eight experienced firefighters that discussed their options to find a truck that could meet the safety needs of the community today and thirty years from now. Ultimately, they received approval from the fire commission and town board to purchase a custom-built engine instead of a pre-built one.

Folgert said there was a lot of thought that went into the choice. He explained, “There are a lot of different hazards that we respond to, so we have to carry a lot of stuff on that truck. This particular truck gives us a lot more versatility [and] storage space so we can securely and safely attach everything.”

This means the department can have one vehicle equipped for a variety of emergencies beyond fires, such as car accidents, gas leaks and downed power lines. It is also compatible with the equipment used by neighboring stations which is a necessity when the town is requested to provide help through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS).

Also impactful for mutual aid calls is the engines’ increased capacity.
“We can put five people in this one truck so we only have to take one truck to a call. Now, if we get a call for an engine company and a chief — that means at least five people — we have to take two trucks,” Folgert said.

This is one way Folgert believes the new engine will save money in the long run.

Folgert explained that the purchase agreement was $780,000, but early payments dropped the total price to around $745,000. The town was able to fund the purchase through an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant — a federal stimulus package awarded for COVID-19 relief in 2021 — of nearly $400,000 and covered the rest with allocated funding. Because of this funding strategy, the town did not have to take out a loan or raise taxes to acquire the vehicle.

Additionally, the department also plans on selling the now 32-year-old firetruck to make space for the new one and recoup a small financial gain.

The order for the new truck was placed in October, 2022, with Pierce Manufacturing of Appleton — along with the other 800 vehicle orders that the company received that month — and went into production in September, 2025.

“The time frame was a little bit longer than we expected and hoped for. With COVID-19 and supply chain issues nationwide, there’s been a big backlog on trucks,” Folgert recalled.

After three years of work behind the scenes, Engine 205 is officially in Peshtigo. Before the truck can officially go into service, the department has a few finishing touches to handle.

“It’s sitting in our firetruck waiting to be outfitted; we have to put everything on it. We have to train on the truck, everybody has to go through a course on the truck to become familiar with it and then we have to pump the truck. Once we do that, we can place it in service. We’re trying to shoot for mid-March,” he said.

Folgert shared that the fire department hopes to host a push-in ceremony this spring when the engine is ready as a way to thank the past and current board members, volunteer firefighters and community members for their ongoing support.

To stay updated on Engine 205 and other department news, follow Town of Peshtigo Fire Department on Facebook.