PORT ANGELES — The chain gang has a new set of wheels.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office has replaced an antiquated ambulance with a 1997 Ford F-800 Diesel Truck called the Green Machine.
Named for its colorful paint job, the off-road vehicle will be used as the primary base for the chain gang that is currently building the adventure route segment of the Olympic Discovery Trail west of Port Angeles.
“The ambulances have served us well, but they are not designed for the rugged forest roads traveled daily by the Olympic Discovery Trail work crew,” Clallam County jail superintendent Ron Sukert said.
Clallam County has three chain gangs, which are small inmate work crews from the Clallam County jail.
One of these teams is focused on blazing the trail that will one day connect Port Townsend and LaPush.
Ten miles of trail
The adventure route chain gang has already cut more than 10 miles of trail through thick forest, Sukert said.
The 2¬½-ton Green Machine replaces the oldest of three 1-ton ambulances in the chain gang fleet. The old ambulances each fit four inmates in bench seats.
“This one has eight bucket seats in the back,” chain gang Officer Jon Beltrami said.
“This is set up like a school bus.”
“We don’t bottom out in this,” added chain gang Officer Wes Miner.
The Green Machine is a former U.S. Forest Service Truck outfitted for fire and work crews in Northern California.
“This truck can take a lot of wear and tear,” Sukert said.
The truck arrived in Clallam County about two weeks ago and has been in service for about a week.
“We just finally got it up to speed,” Sukert said.
“It’s pretty nice. I got in and sat in it and looked around. It’s fairly comfortable.”
Found at an auction
Clallam County Road Department purchasing agent John Henson found the truck at an auction. The county paid less than $20,000. A newer version would have cost about $150,000, Beltrami said.
The Green Machine has 152,000 miles on it.
Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict credited Beltrami, Henson and shop mechanics Dave Lindstrom and John Heikkila for finding the Green Machine and outfitting it for the program.
The windows had to be tinted and secured. The separated cabin up front has space for two officers. Side compartments store tools, work clothes and other gear for the trail site.
“Everything they need to accomplish their task goes with them,” Sukert said.
The Clallam County chain gang was originally focused on roadside litter cleanup. The old ambulances were adequate until the chain gangs moved into the woods.
“Those highways vehicles are designed for a soft ride,” Sukert said.
“Our program has evolved to much more than a litter pickup. We spend a lot of time and miles in back-county roads in federal forests.”
The search for an off-road chain gang vehicle has “been in the hopper for probably six months,” Sukert said.
And since it’s a real truck, it will be easier to find parts and keep the Green Machine maintained.
“The guys love it,” Sukert said.
“I think it’s a lot more professional looking.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
