The grant allows the fire department to hire six additional firefighter paramedics, with three-person staffing on the fire engines. A move that bolsters their ability to respond to any emergency.

"We'd like to get to four but it's a start to get to three and give better protection to our community and it's going to give much safer opportunities to anyone who has medical needs or fire needs with the fire department," said Cathedral Mayor Stan Henry.

The grant will fund about 85% of new firefighter's salary for three years.  The grant also increases safety for the community and firefighters themselves.

Skene said a new truck will cost anywhere from $800,000 to $1.5M.

Purchasing another used truck is difficult, since there aren't many on the market, and many available from the United States aren't viable because those trucks aren't designed to work in cold weather.

Skene said he has support from city council to renew fire equipment, but the purchase of a new aerial truck is the most expensive item on the city's fire department list.

He said until the unit is replaced, it will be tested weekly to ensure the equipment is functional.