The Parksville Fire Department received its new 2011 pumper truck Tuesday, just after they officially opened the expanded, five-bay fire hall.
“This will replace our front-line apparatus which is 21 years old and will give the department the up-to-date apparatus to do what we need to do,” said Chief Doug Banks.
Designated E42, the new pumper joins four other fire apparatus operated by the department.
The truck was built and designed by Hub Fire Engine in Abbotsford and features a 1,500 gallon per minute pump, which brings the department’s pumping capacity up to Fire Underwriter standards for the community.
It took about a year to research, get the specifications, send out a request for proposals, evaluate them and have the truck built and delivered at the budgeted cost of $450,000.
Over the next few months, prior to going into service early in the New Year, members will be trained on the new equipment and the truck will be outfitted by the department.
“It’s been a long while coming, our members are extremely excited to get this new apparatus which will assist us in providing even better firefighting services to the community,” Banks said.
Residents are welcome to stop by the fire hall at any time to check it out.
writer@pqbnews.com