the funding issue goes both ways. Although the setup may have been a result of insufficient funding, we can make the reasonable assumption that the original fire department used some funded equipment to fabricate the setup. Sure, some parts might have been had for free, but other specialized parts are bound to be purchased to rig it together. Fiscal oversight could have prevented this setup from being built and put into service.
The town I come from has a volunteer fire department that purchased a brand spanking new schnozzle truck. Not that any of the structures in the bedroom community had an urgent demand for a schnozzle, but the funds were waiting in the coffers. If you don't use up that dough, you lose it. That's why such screaming deals come up on GSA.
