Salmon Arm council supported the purchase of a new wildland firefighting vehicle that will replace a unit released the year Bill Vander Zalm became B.C.'s premier.
At its June 24 meeting, council voted in support of a recommendation from fire Chief Brad Shirley for the purchase of a 2024 wildland fire truck from Alberta-based Rocky Mountain Phoenix Inc. for $264,000 plus taxes. The unit will replace a similar 1986 model that was acquired by the fire department in 2010.
"Parts have started to be a challenge to acquire for this unit, and because of its age we’ve not been able to place it on the provincial deployment list," said Shirley. "This is a smaller, 4x4 crew-cab, pickup-style truck with pump water tank and equipment on a flat deck. It also has what’s referred to as pump and row capabilities where you can drive along and direct the water stream using a joystick in the cab."
Rocky Mountain was one of three companies that responded to a request for proposals, and though its price was the second lowest (the lowest came in at $242,065 plus taxes), it met the fire department's specifications for a new unit. Furthermore, Shirley said the vehicle would be delivered in August.
"Our biggest concern with lowest bid, it didn’t entirely meet our specifications and had a delivery time of 365 days plus, and with that could be subject to some price increases," said Shirley.
Council also supported a related budget amendment to transfer $9,000 from the city's Fire-Emergency Apparatus Reserve to make up for the cost of the new vehicle above the $275,000 approved for the purchase in the city's 2024 budget.
Councillors confirmed the new truck could be used for deployment, with that being funded by the province. Chief financial officer Chelsea Van de Cappelle explained that money would be used first to offset costs incurred by the deployment, with the remainder going back in the fire apparatus reserve.
Shirley estimated the older truck would sell for approximately $5,000. Asked about donating it should it not sell, Shirley was quite certain it would.
"Although it’s old, it’s a somewhat desirable truck being small and four-wheel drive," said Shirley. "We have not looked at donating fire apparatus in the past. I know other communities have. There’s a program called Firefighters without Borders and they send equipment and fire trucks all over the world."
Coun. Tim Lavery suggested keeping in mind the option of donating more locally, stating "we maybe be able to aid another community that may not have the same requirements that we do in terms of the age and it would be helpful for them."
