WESTLOCK COUNTY – Both the Fawcett and Jarvie water trucks should be replaced and budgeted for in the upcoming capital budget, according to Westlock County Administration.
In March, a water truck from the Fawcett fire hall rolled into the ditch while responding to a fire in Pibroch. The 2001 International Model 9200 with 634,723 kilometres was a write off. The Jarvie unit also needs to be replaced, having reached its lifespan or capability of keeping staff safe when operating it.
“Administration wants to replace both Fawcett and Jarvie units with automatic transmission, single axle, pump and tank with minimum NFPA requirements for an estimated cost of $230,000 per tender,” John Biro, manager of fire and emergency services for the county, said in his report to council. Westlock County held preliminary budget discussions during their Committee of the Whole meeting on Nov. 12.
There may be additional unknown costs such as transports, inflation, or engineering changes, so administration has asked council to cap the project at $500,000.
In his report, Biro said that standard fire response requires dispatching two fire pumpers and two fire tenders to any structure, industrial and wild fires during high alert season. If additional fire supports are needed, the county requests the nearest tender to help with shuttle relay.
Westlock County houses many large commercial properties including schools, stores, multiple housing units, large homes, farms, anad abandoned buildings/hotels where water volume would be crucial to minimize damaage or spreading of the fire, said Biro.
Faraja Amanda, general manager of corporate services, said the replacements will be funded with an insurance claim, sale proceeds and grant funding.
