Kubota Gator ATV ready to rescue Big Canoers in rough terrain Print E-mail


Kubota Gator ATV ready to rescue Big Canoers in rough terrain

GatorWildfirefighters
L-R Eric Lindblom and Dennis Burgett admire the fire departments new gator. (Photo by Laura Link)

By Laura Link
llink@bigcanoenews.com
We live among three mountains of forest in Big Canoe. We hike. We play golf.

And we sometimes wander off the marked trails, get lost, have golf course heart attacks and infrequently have brush land fires that are hard to reach. The Big Canoe Volunteer Fire Department wanted to make rescuing lost hikers, ill golfers and firefighting in this community the best it could be with the latest equipment.

They organized a committee for a first annual fundraiser called Black and Blue and Tennis Shoes Casino Night. Last November, under the chairmanship of Tom Alexander, a volunteer firefighter himself and top notch fundraiser, the event brought in around $22,000.

Cadillac of all gators
The generosity of sponsors and attendees at casino night gave the fire department of Big Canoe an opportunity to add the Cadillac of all Kubota gators to its fleet of equipment.

group gator shot
Big Canoe Volunteer Fire Department Committee of Black and Blue and Tennis Shoe Casino Night 2009  L-R Sybil Burgett; Knox Glass, Committee Chair Tom Alexander, Eric Lindblom, Al Heindel, Dennis Burgett, George Kowalski, David Blake, Mike Ehrlich, Loretta Glass, Public Safety Director Bill Bates, Gary Rhodus (front), Rosemarie Heindel (back), Marsha Rhodus (back) and Big Canoe Fire Chief Ricky Jordon.
"The Big Canoe Volunteer Fire Department is proud to present the Kubota all terrain vehicle [known as a gator] to the Big Canoe Community to be used in rescues in difficult terrain, brush fires and rescues of persons on our many miles of trails and the golf courses. Had it not been for the wonderful work of our campaign committee,
volunteers, sponsors, donors, and especially the attendees at this event we would not have been able to provide this to our community,” Alexander told Smoke Signals. “The Big Canoe community is a very generous and giving community and we wish to thank each and everyone associated with this event for making such an investment where we live".

Best products available
After researching potential ATVs Eric Lindblom, certified in wildfire fire fighting, and Dennis Burgett, volunteer firefighter, decided that the best products available to meet the needs of Big Canoe was a Kubota ATV and skid from Kimtech Research Corp.

The shiny red piece of equipment with all the bells and whistles was of great interest especially to the men of the committee at its unveiling recently in the maintenance yard.

The Kubota is a powerful, diesel engine, 4-wheel drive machine suitable for tough terrains and all weather conditions. It features power steering, variable hydro transmission, steel roof, and glass windshield. The firefighting unit, purchased directly from the manufacturer, is an all aluminum constructed skid with a two-stage high pressure pump, an integrated 75 gallon poly tank, a hose reel with 100 feet of ¾ inch hose, a foam unit, and grab rails for mounting a stokes basket or long board for rescue operations. A trailer provides transportation for the gator to needed events.

Mark your calendars for Friday, Nov. 12, this year for Black and Blue and Tennis Casino Night II. The firemen have other needs for this growing community but they are not ready to reveal the next purchase planned until later in the year.