PARKSVILLE — A new fire truck for local crews is a substantial upgrade on resources, and allowing the retirement of a 25 year old vehicle.
Built in Manitoba, the new Rescue 45 took about 15 months from the time of order to delivery, with a Council-approved budget of $791,100.
Parksville Fire Chief Marc Norris said they were in need of a new rescue truck for some time, as their old truck was five years beyond the recognized front-line service standard.
“This apparatus brings us up-to-date safety features for fire crews, and expanded capacity in terms of the equipment we can carry on the rig, so it’s an integral part of delivering fire rescue service.”
He said many of the improvements their new vehicle offers has a lot to do with crew safety, as well as being able to bring more life-saving tools to their calls.
“There’s an airbag system in the vehicle for crew safety, better braking capacity. This vehicle has a winch on it, much better scene lighting on it, and just has expanded capacity for equipment we couldn’t carry on our current truck.”
They received their new vehicle earlier this month and have spent the time since becoming familiar with it and ensuring it’s up to their standards.
While it will be primarily used to transport crews, Norris said it will have some new technical rescue equipment on board to help in life-saving scenarios.
“Things like the jaws of life, equipment for confined space rescue, hazardous materials operations, technical rope rescues so low slope, high angle, those sorts of things. Then there’s a variety of technical equipment on it, like a big wheel for transporting people out of the bush.”
They plan to have it available for service calls by Aug. 8.
The public is welcome to stop by the Parksville Volunteer Fire Department at 100 Jensen Ave. during regular hours to view their new vehicle.
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