What began as a controlled burn in early May 2025 at Wolsey’s landfill turned dangerous when high winds stoked embers deep in the rubble, igniting a grassfire. The blaze quickly spread to within a quarter mile of the town, charring more than 250 acres in its path.

The Wolsey Fire District relies on its equipment to fight these fires, and thanks to a Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan in 2023, the newest pumper truck was on the scene to help contain the fire, saving numerous homes and businesses from danger. The truck had just arrived in March of 2025 and the department was already putting it through its paces, proving to be invaluable, supplying ample water to firefighters knocking down the flames.

We wouldn’t have gotten this approved through the board with traditional lending

Craig Heller is very familiar with the local fire district. He served on the department for over 40 years and continues to serve on the city council with more than 20 years of experience. Without federal funding, Craig said, replacing aging equipment would be costly for taxpayers.

“We wouldn’t have gotten this approved through the board with traditional lending,” said Craig. “The interest rate and length of the loan would have made replacing the pumper truck much harder without raising taxes.”

The new pumper truck - a 2025 Freightliner M2, sporting advanced technology, more capacity, and increased reliability - replaced a 20-year-old truck that had been in service longer than anticipated because of replacement costs, and production backlog.

“We try to maintain two pumper trucks, the newer of which is our primary and the older is on standby,” explained Craig. “When the older truck is around 10 years old, we purchase a new truck, which becomes our primary.”

The building housing the fleet of trucks also serves multiple purposes. Constructed in 2016 through a Rural Electric Economic Development loan funded by Rural Development’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program, the station also houses the local ambulance, firefighting trucks, and equipment. It regularly holds community functions for Wolsey’s 450 residents.

“Our community has really come to appreciate these investments,” Craig added. “Everyone knows the Wolsey Fire Protection District, along with other agencies around the area, is ready to respond to emergencies.

Craig also recognized that the new equipment has improved department morale and increased recruitment of new volunteer firefighters.

“When the crew shows up for a call, they know they’re taken care of, that the equipment is safe and dependable,” said Craig. “That means a lot when resources are limited and you have a community counting on you in those difficult situations.”

Learn more about Rural Development’s Community Development Direct and Guaranteed Loan and Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant programs at RD.USDA.Gov/SD.