Township council has authorized a tender for the purchase of a replacement rescue vehicle for the Drayton fire station.
A Feb. 13 report to council from Fire Chief Rick Richardson indicates Drayton volunteer firefighters on the Mapleton Fire/Rescue apparatus replacement committee have evaluated needs and have assembled specifications for the new rescue vehicle.
“The current vehicle was purchased in 1998 and has served our needs for 20 years,” Richardson explained in the report.
“It is now showing signs of wear and tear and it is undersized for carrying today’s equipment.”
He added the committee intends to send specifications to suppliers with the goal of receiving at least three quotes for council review/approval.
The new vehicle should have a service life of 20 years, Richardson said, noting additional equipment to keep up to date with current medical, extrication and air supply requirements means the department has “outgrown” the current vehicle.
He also said the committee agrees a nearly identical apparatus to the current Moorefield rescue vehicle would be an ideal replacement and “would give both stations familiarity with each rescue truck at an emergency scene involving both stations.”
“If you have two identical vehicles carrying the same equipment and you go to the call and you ask the Moorefield guy for something off the Drayton truck, here it is in the same place,” Richardson told council.
“I like the fact it’s being standardized … I like the fact both stations have similar equipment,” said councillor Michael Martin.
