Centre Wellington is spending US$847,448 to purchase two fire rescue trucks – one for Fergus and one for Elora.
Council’s June 27 decision followed a report by managing director of corporate services Wes Snarr.
His report recommended awarding the tender for the two vehicles to Metz Fire and Rescue of Guelph.
Snarr noted the approved funding is within the three year capital forecast which includes $1,015,000 for the purchase of two fire rescue trucks ($500,000 in 2016 and $515,000 in 2017).
He noted “the expected life of a fire rescue truck is 20 years, and the age of both vehicles being replaced will be more than 20 years when the new vehicles are delivered in May/June 2017 (Fergus Station; 21 years and Elora Station; 23 years).
Councillor Fred Morris noted that a few years ago the township had purchased a rescue truck for the Elora station.
“What is different about these two?”
Centre Wellington fire chief Brad Patton clarified the one purchased a few years ago was a pumper truck – which carries 750 gallons of water and has a large capacity pump and hoses.
Patton said the rescue truck is designed solely for rescues and carries high end medical equipment, car extrication equipment and other rescue equipment.
Councillor Mary Lloyd noted this was done as a joint tender request for two vehicles instead of one.
“Do you feel we got better pricing?”
Snarr said the savings amount to US$5,000 and anticipated ordering them separately, one now and one later, would be even more should vehicle prices increase over the next year.
Lloyd asked when the trucks would be delivered.
Snarr said it is a one-year timeline and expected the trucks to be delivered by May or June in 2017.
Morris asked if it was normal for a community of this size to have two fire rescue trucks.
Patton said “the short answer is ‘yes’.”
He explained part of his answer revolves around the location of the fire stations and the diversity and size of the communities.
“To have a single truck in only one location would create too long of a response time.”
Council agreed to the purchase of the two fire rescue trucks.
