Vauxhall fire department gets upgrade

Nikki Jamieson
Vauxhall Advance
njamieson@tabertimes.com

Vauxhall is getting a new fire truck.

In a delegation on behalf of the Municipal District of Taber council, M.D. councillors Dwight Tolton and Bob Wallace, M.D. CAO Derrick Krizsan and Vauxhall Fire Chief Brian Schafer announced that they had purchased a 2014 Freightliner Fire Truck built by Fort Garry Fire Trucks, for the Vauxhall and District Regional Fire Authority.

Vauxhall mechanical spare fire truck, a 19989 FL 80 Freightliner Fire Truck, has reached the end of it’s serviceable life. The M.D would like to transfer that truck to the M.D. of Taber Regional Fire Department, to serve as a mechanical spare for all five fire departments in the regional in its region.

“That truck is the oldest on in the fleet, the 1999 (truck),” said Wallace. “This 2014 (truck), if you guys approve it, will look after the fire needs for Vauxhall and area for the next 20-30 years.”

Vauxhall will not have any financial obligations in this exchange. The new fire truck will be paid for entirely by the M.D., including insurance and registration. The equity the town has on the 1999 truck, about $35,000, would be transferred to the new truck. The M.D. will also take care of buying any additional equipment the truck might need.

Vauxhall councillors were curious about one thing though; why was the truck black?

“It’s coming out of a private fire hall, or private fire company,” explained Wallace. “That’s the reason why it’s black, not red.”

“So, are we changing it, or are we keeping it black?” asked Margaret Plumtree, mayor of Vauxhall, wanting to know if there would be an issue with the colour.

“Well, if we’re going to get a new truck red,” said Wallace. “(It’s) $200,000 more. So black is okay.”

The truck will be decked out in high-visibility decals, so the truck will still be very noticeable.

“We are pleased to do this with the town,” said Wallace. “Because you are good partners, and good, friendly partners with the M.D.”

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