TERRACE BAY — For Fire Chief Ryan Bolan, the municipality's new fire truck was a long time coming.
It took over two years of putting together proposals for the municipal council, to generate the funding, and then find a company to custom-build the trucks. Finally, Terrace Bay Fire Services’ newest addition to their fleet is ready to bring the fight to any fire.
“We are pretty happy about what we say rolling down the road to the fire hall,” Bolan said this week.
Commissioned by Manitoba-based company, Fort Garry Firetrucks, the new vehicle carries 1514.16 litres more water than the department’s previous firetruck. Plus, it has a lot more storage space to house much-need equipment while fighting fires.
Bolan states that now his staff have a lot of training to do, but they are excited to explore the updated features.
“Everybody is pretty excited to get on it and to get familiar with the valves and the components with the new pumper,” Bolan said .
Another benefit of the new truck is that it has a pump and roll feature, which will be easier for the firefighters.
“The old system we had to be stationary to pump. In this new truck, we can be stationary, but we also have the option to move the vehicle as we are spraying water. That probably not new but it’s new to us,” Bolan said.
Bolan said that the new truck will have a life expectancy of 20 to 25 years, depending on the availability of parts.
“It’s the nature of the beast,” Bolan said.
The old trucks are still in working condition, Bolan said, but he added that age is the biggest factor that prompted the commission of a new truck.
“After 25 years, with something going wrong, not being able to get any parts, there is nothing we can do except buy a new vehicle,” said Bolan. “There would be nothing worse than trying to go to a fire call and the pumper won’t start or the fire truck won’t pump water, and we can’t have that happen here in Terrace Bay.”
Funding for the new truck was done in part by providing services on the highway. Bolan said that the truck cost $560,000, but the department was able to raise $540,000 through service calls and forest fires.
“Any money we make went directly into an account and we were able to raise almost all of the funds over the years for this new pumper,” Bolan said.
Bolan had the opportunity to take the new truck for a spin around the community. He said he is thankful to the community for their positive feedback on social media, and also acknowledged the committee and past and present mayors and council for their support..
"It was two years in the making and engine one is finally here and ready to serve,” Bolan said.
