Backup is on the way for the fire department's fleet.
After having to take two trucks out of service and having another unit with chronic issues experiencing downtime, the Timmins Fire Department has been given the green light for a 2022 dependable pumper with a Spartan FC-94 chassis from Dependable Emergency Vehicles. Timmins council approved the $361,000 item at its Aug. 8 meeting.
The total cost for the unit is around $661,000, said manager of purchasing and fleet Gord Deacon. The city is getting about $300,000 for the trade-in value of the truck they've had chronic issues with, lowering the overall amount the city's on the hook for.
While the purchase isn't on the books for 2023, there is enough cash in the fire department reserves to cover the unexpected cost of the new truck.
Earlier this year during annual inspections, two trucks — 2004 and 2003 models — were taken off the road.
“It was not economically feasible to repair the structural issues. These two units were the frontline pumpers for the Timmins Fire Department in their day. They, therefore, received very high call volumes during their time and are approximately 20 years old,” said Deacon.
Right now, the department is two to three trucks short.
“While the Timmins Fire Department (was) down two units for most of the year, I would like to state that due to Chief (Berny) Stansa and his team’s efforts, at no time was the safety of the citizens of the City of Timmins in question. Fire administration would shuffle various apparatuses amongst calls to provide coverage."
The pumper that's being traded in is a 2019 model.
It's been a troublesome vehicle for the department and has been sent back to the company for repairs.
“We’ve had numerous problems with that truck since we got it. To say it’s been chronic is an understatement. It’s been out of service almost as much as in service. Being a mainline pumper, we can’t have it out of service that often. We keep switching with Schumacher, switching with different trucks and it’s just compounding,” said Stansa.
The new truck should be in town within six months.
