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Fire chief proposes equipment upgrade
Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
High Prairie fire chief Ken Melnyk has issued three recommendations for new equipment at the High Prairie Fire Department
Melnyk recommends updating and/or replacing one of the department’s fire trucks. Citing the National Fire Protection Association guidelines, he says the department’s 1974 fire truck is unsuitable for use as a fire protection vehicle.
“As well, this unit has a significant hole rusted through the pipes,” he says. “Estimated repairs for the water pipes would cost approximately $2-3,000 and to retrofit this unit in order to meet current NFPA standards would cost an additional $50,000.”
The truck would be certified for another five years and would require testing every five years.
Melnyk adds the newest truck, the 1996 E1 pumper, would not be able to be used as a first line truck in another four years and to replace it then would cost approximately $500,000. One possibility is to use the 1996 E1 as a secondary truck and purchase a new one to use as the first line truck.
“It might be of interest to note that the town’s Zamboni is newer than the aforementioned fire protection vehicles,” Melnyk adds.
He is also requesting a three-quarter ton pickup for the department’s spill response trailer, which Alberta Environment donated in 2008. He says it’s a real asset to the town and surrounding area.
“A significant problem, however, is that the weight of this unit requires a three-quarter ton, four-wheel-drive truck for pulling the unit and, thus far, the members of the fire department have been utilizing their personal vehicles for this purpose. This is a practice that I am reluctant to continue to support because it is unlikely that either the town or the firefighters have adequate insurance coverage to address this, in the event that anything should happen that might require insurance coverage.”
A new truck could also be utilized for transporting hoses after fires, hauling pails of foam and other equipment to and from fires, as well as used for traveling to courses and meetings.
“All of these are activities for which the firefighters use their personal vehicles,” he adds.
Melnyk would also like to establish a reserve fund for the systematic replacement of equipment. With a reserve, the money will be there to replace equipment when the time comes. It would include a reserve fund for fire hall replacement as well.
The protective services committee agreed to forward Melnyk’s recommendations to town council for their 2010 budget deliberations.
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