REDVERS — After many months of planning, assessing, and researching equipment, the Redvers Volunteer Fire Department finally has a new truck ordered.
“It feels really good,” said Redvers Fire Chief Brad Hutton when asked for his reaction knowing the new truck is officially on order.
The quest for a replacement pumper began about a year and a half ago to align with minimum fire standards requirements, including the rule that apparatus responding must be within 20 years of age.
“After doing research to see what was available for used fire trucks, we found that there were not a lot of options to purchase a used truck,” explained Jocelyne Toms-Delmaire, administrator CAO with the RM of Antler. “The options that were available were missing some key components that would benefit the fire department, and the price difference was not a great savings.”
Used trucks can easily land in the ballpark of $600,000 while the new side control pumper on order from Fort Garry Fire Trucks in Winnipeg is $778,000 plus taxes.
“Ultimately, going with a customized truck that had all the functions required to best assist our firefighters was not a large price difference and would also give more years of service and staying compliant with Fire Service Minimum Standards,” Toms-Delmaire said.
Town of Redvers CAO Tricia Pickard echoed those sentiments, adding that the truck is projected to arrive in 18 months.
“We did lots of research, we looked at several different companies, we looked at used and new, and we’ve been looking for a long time for this fire truck,” she said, calling Fort Garry Fire Trucks “the best-matched company for our needs and budget.”
One crucial component in going with a brand new apparatus is the full 20 years of life, which not only complies with Minimum Standards but allows Redvers to keep their offensive attack status. Gaining a new truck is not the only thing that will keep the fire department in line with the standards, there’s ongoing training, more turnout gear, and equipment in general.
“Remaining compliant was important to all involved as they wanted to maintain an offensive fire response not only in our area but also areas surrounding the RM of Antler and the Town of Redvers,” Toms-Delmaire explained. “It is very likely the service area will become larger now as it may be difficult for some areas to maintain the Fire Service Minimum Standard.”
“We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new fire truck where I hope to see our Joint Fire Committee members, Reeve Bernard Bauche and Councillor Edmond Aime, hit the lights and sirens when the truck arrives,” she continued.
Custom features
As with other apparatus in the current fleet, the new pumper will be a Freightliner, and Hutton was quick to point out that not only did the municipalities have a say in shaping the future truck, but all Redvers firefighters presented their ‘must-haves.’
“Everybody’s had their input into what we want on the truck,” he confirmed. “What we need, obviously, is definitely included, and then we had some space to get options to make it functional and simpler for us.”
To meet the challenging seasons and terrain found in the Redvers Volunteer Fire Department service area, the new truck will be a 4x4 unit. There’s a ‘pump and roll’ option, providing the ability to pump and spray water without the need to stop to engage and disengage the pumps.
“We got a Firefox Monitor on the front controls with a joystick in the cab,” Hutton said. “So if we’re wheeling up to a scene and it’s maybe a little bit of a dangerous environment, we could spray it right from the cab of the truck without getting out—or just your average stubble fires, etc.—you can drive along, spray, aim, and get fire under control without having to be on the ground right off the bat.”
Fundraising continues
The Redvers Volunteer Fire Department has been the recipient of some very generous financial commitments, but fundraising efforts will need to continue over the coming months.
“The RM of Antler council is pleased to be a part of this endeavour to purchase a brand-new fire truck that meets the needs of the Redvers Fire Department at a reasonable price,” Toms-Delmaire said. “The RM of Antler and the Town of Redvers have agreed to split the cost of the new fire truck 50/50, minus any fundraising, donations or grants received.”
She added that the fire department will actively continue its fundraising efforts to help offset costs and that a mail drop is coming in the near future with information on the new truck and a request for donations from residents. All donations can be made to the Town of Redvers and will be eligible for a tax receipt.
One fundraiser currently underway is for fire blankets, available at the Town Office. Fire blankets are used to cancel one of three key elements of the fire triangle—oxygen. By smothering a fire, and therefore removing the oxygen component of the triangle (which also includes fuel and heat), most fires can be eliminated in seconds. They are reusable, lightweight, have no expiration date, there is no training necessary, and they can withstand up to 550ºC. A limited supply of fire blankets is available for $25 each— adding an extra step for home safety and helping the fire department raise money at the same time.
