TOWN OF WOLF RIVER, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Boom Bay Volunteer Fire Department is showing off its newest set of wheels.
No matter if it’s on land, ice or in water, the Boom Bay Volunteer Fire Department’s new SHERP vehicle is up for the task.
The amphibious vehicle will help Boom Bay with life-threatening events like ice rescues on the Wolf River, Lake Poygan and Lake Winneconne.
“The tires help it float, plus the body itself helps it float,” said Chief Dave Platta.
Inside the SHERP, the operator is able to increase or decrease the tire pressure, making it easier to get in and out of the water.
“Lowering the tire pressure makes the tire almost become kind of a shelf, and as you, if you approach the ice shelf it’ll just grab and just climb out,” said Hudson Peters, who works for SHERP.
The department still has an air boat at its disposal, but the SHERP will better protect crews from the elements.
“The air boat is cold, it’s an open cab machine, where this has a heated cab,” said Platta.
The Boom Bay Volunteer Fire Dept. says the roughly 5,600 pound machine will also be helpful during wildfires.
“We cover a lot of marsh and swamp area and usually we have a couple wildland fires that get out of control every year,” said Platta.
The SHERP Pro X-T’s top speed on land is about 25 miles per hour. In the water it’s top speed is four miles per hour.
It cost Boom Bay about $180,000. $150,000 of that was donated to the department. The fire department was able to cover the remaining costs through fundraising efforts.
“It’ll be used 12 months out of the year for any rescue we have,” said Platta.
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