Bellmont Fire Department Expands Wildland Fleet with Used 2013 Ford F550 Purchase

The Bellmont Fire Department has officially added a 2013 Ford F550 Custom Wildland Pumper to its operational fleet following a recent surplus sale from the Harrowford Fire Department. The apparatus, originally ordered as part of a two-unit wildland package, became available after Harrowford Fire Department opted to revise its fleet strategy and replace one of the planned units with a newer 2025 GMC Sierra 3500HD Custom Wildland Pumper.

According to department officials, the Ford F550 had seen limited service and was maintained in “ready reserve” condition, making it an attractive acquisition for Bellmont’s growing wildland response needs. The vehicle is equipped with a reinforced suspension package, upgraded water tank system, and a high-pressure pump module designed for brush and vegetation fires in rural and semi-urban terrain.

Bellmont Fire leadership stated that the addition fills a critical gap in their mid-weight response capability, particularly for fast deployment in wooded areas and narrow-access zones where larger engines face limitations. The department has recently been focusing on strengthening its wildland suppression readiness ahead of the upcoming dry season.

The Harrowford Fire Department noted that the decision to shift to a newer 2025 GMC Sierra 3500HD unit was driven by updated procurement standards emphasizing improved fuel efficiency, extended off-road capability, and enhanced onboard electronics for incident coordination.

The Ford F550 is expected to enter full service after final radio installation, hose compatibility checks, and a short training period for Bellmont crews familiarizing themselves with the apparatus’ pump configuration and control layout.