Breathing easy

The Hartley Fire Department recently received a breath of fresh air – more of it, anyway.

The local squad was able to purchase eight new 6,000-psi air cylinders thanks to a $10,000 grant from the O'Brien County Community Foundation (OCCF). The new equipment replaces the department's old 4,500-psi cylinders.

"This way we can fill more air packs with greater capacity," said Chief Brad Meendering.

The cylinders are filled, put on a truck and used to fill firefighters' individual air packs. Meendering explained that half of the department's previous set was three decades old while the other half was from the early 2000s.

"They're still good as long as you hydro-test them, but we are happy with the upgrade," he said.

The overall cost of the new cylinders was $14,000. The city covered the remainder of the bill after the OCCF's contribution.

"We're thankful for the support from both the community foundation and city," said Meendering.

The new air cylinders aren't the only recent purchase by the local department – a new brush truck will soon join the fleet.

Meendering said it would need to be equipped with a skid, lights, sirens and paint before it's ready. Its predecessor – a 2003 F-350 Super Duty – will remain in service and will be used as necessary.

"The new truck will have a lighter frame and we'll use it strictly as brush truck for field fires and other similar calls," Meendering explained. "We're always replacing things as needed and upgrading."