(North Cowichan, BC) – The North Cowichan Fire Department has taken delivery of a new C$1.45 million aerial fire truck. The vehicle, whose ladder can reach more than 32 meters (107 feet) — and is the tallest in the Cowichan Valley — will be stationed at the South End fire hall, but serve the entire North Cowichan area, as well as neighboring First Nations communities and through mutual aid agreements with adjacent municipalities.

“This is an exciting day for our fire department,” said Mayor Al Siebring. “This ladder truck will no doubt be a tremendous asset, not just for our fire department and our communities, but also for the dedicated paid on-call members.”

The Pierce Enforcer ladder truck can pump 7,570 liters (2,000 gallons) per minute and carries a 1,900-liter (500-gallon) water tank plus a 110-liter (30-gallon) auto injection foam system. At just under 12 meters (39 feet) in length, the truck is agile and can maneuver through tight city streets. Set up takes less than one minute, making this a quick and effective rescue and fire extinguishing vehicle.

The Fire Underwriters insurance requires North Cowichan have two aerial firefighting vehicles in order to service the 187 buildings that are over three stories in height, with fire flows over 7,570 liters per minute. The older ladder truck previously stationed at the South End is now stationed in Chemainus.

The North Cowichan Fire Department serves the municipality, as well as Quw’utsun, Halalt, Penelakut, Stz’uminus, and Lyackson First Nations from four fire halls: Chemainus, Maple Bay, South End, and Crofton. It is BC’s largest paid on-call fire department, with 104 members.

The White Rock Fire District is celebrating some new fire trucks that will not only improve community safety but replace outdated apparatus, reports MDCP.

One former truck was a 1977 engine, and the old tankers were 1969 and 1974 models—all of which used hard-to-find parts and were otherwise in dire need of replacing, the report says. The brush trucks, too, needed major repairs.

Earlier: White Rock (AR) Fire Protection District Takes Delivery of Apparatus, More on the Way

The department received 5% ($15,000) of a cost-share AFG payment to replace a tanker, while a brush truck was replaced via help from a state government bid, which reduced its cost so much that the department was able to get two, according to the report.

The 1977 engine was replaced with one featuring fewer than 11,000 miles and current on all testing and requirements. The other new apparatus is a tanker-pumper, the report notes; its predecessor only hauled water.

The department hopes to replace its 1974 tanker and keep up-to-date equipment, officials say.

A new fire station in Kanturk was recently opened with help from local officials.

Cork County Fire Service Officers and Kanturk’s past and present firefighters, along with their families, were on hand to celebrate.

The state-of-the-art Percival Street facility, which serves more than 15,000 people, replaces the former St. Theresa’s Place station, which was home to the brigade for nearly 70 years, reports independent.ie.

The contract for the new digs was awarded to Cork-based HG Construction, following a €1.8 million ($1.9 million) bid, and it was funded by the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government.

Sutphen—Hebron (IN) Volunteer Fire Department pumper. Monarch heavy-duty cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump; 1,000-gallon polypropylene water tank; one 30-gallon and one 20-gallon foam cell; Hale SmartFoam dual-agent foam system; Smart Power 6-kW generator; Command Light KL415A-FS 230V LED light tower. Dealer: Paul Werner, Herb Fire Equipment, Powell, OH.

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