There will soon be a brand-new fire truck helping protect the Parksville area.
Rescue 45 was delivered to the Parksville Volunteer Fire Department in June and will enter service in early August, according to a news release by the city.
It will replace an older apparatus, which has been in service for 25 years, five years beyond recognized frontline service standards.
“As Parksville and surrounding area continues to grow, so does the need to renew and update our infrastructure,” said Fire Chief Marc Norris. “Which includes our fire rescue apparatus fleet. Rescue 45 will provide the community, as well as our firefighters, with the most up-to-date, safe and versatile piece of fire rescue equipment. Residents are welcome to stop by the Parksville fire hall during regular hours to view this new vehicle.”
Rescue 45 is a walk-around style rescue apparatus, built by the Canadian manufacturer, Fort Garry Fire Trucks in Winnipeg. From the time of order, delivery took about 15 months following a lengthy process which involved research, detailed specifications, request for proposals, proposal evaluation and council approval. The approved budget for this project was $791,100, according to the release.
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The new rescue truck is equipped with improved braking ability, a safer crew compartment, enhanced scene lighting and larger compartment space to house rescue and specialty equipment. The truck will provide auto extrication, deal with hazardous materials, confined space calls, technical rope rescue and other special rescue capabilities within the Parksville Fire Protection Area and be available to assist mutual aid partners when required.
The Parksville Volunteer Fire Department provides a wide range of emergency and non-emergency fire rescue and public safety services to the Parksville Fire Protection Area, which encompasses the City of Parksville and contract areas within the Regional District of Nanaimo which include San Pareil, Morningstar, Columbia Beach, French Creek, and the Fourneau Road, Wildgreen Way, and Martindale Road areas.
Parksville Fire is a composite department with predominantly on-call firefighters and a small complement of career staff. The population of the fire protection area is about 20,000, increasing substantially during the summer months.
— NEWS Staff, submitted