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Firefighters requesting new pumper truck
Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
The High Prairie Fire Department is asking High Prairie town council to set aside $52,000 for a pumper truck replacement.
Deputy fire chief Lynne Pardell made the request during the budget meeting in the council chamber Dec. 9. If approved, the money would be put in a capital reserve.
Fire chief Ken Melnyk made the initial request in a letter to the protective services committee and town council. He says the 1974 fire truck is unsuitable 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 require testing every five years. He also says the newest truck, the 1996 E1 pumper, would not be able to be used as a first line truck in four years and to replace it then would cost approximately $500,000. He suggested using the 1996 E1 as a secondary truck and purchasing a new one for the first line truck.
Pardell also repeated the department’s request for money to purchase a truck to haul their hazardous spill containment trailer. Melnyk made the initial request in the same letter.
Melnyk says a three-quarter-ton four-wheel-drive truck is required. The trailer is heavy and although the volunteer firefighters have been towing it with their trucks, he is concerned about them having adequate insurance coverage. The new truck could also be used for transporting hoses after fires, hauling pails of foam and other equipment to and from fires, as well as for traveling to courses and meetings.
However, Mayor Rick Dumont is not in favour of purchasing a new truck and says the Town has two older trucks which could be used.
Pardell also says the department is requesting money to continue to provide training. She says the provincial government might not provide training money in 2010.
“It’s important to keep the training up,” she says, adding the department has been accessing grants with organizations like the M.D. of Big Lakes to provide training to as many firefighters as possible, simultaneously.
“It’s a system that really works,” says Pardell. “You’re not offering the same course over and over to different fire departments at different times.”
Town council will consider the department’s requests as part of their 2010 budget deliberations Dec. 22 in their council chambers.
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