McMurrich/Monteith’s fire chief is calling for a long-term plan to replace a 37-year-old tanker truck that he said is plagued by mechanical issues and safety concerns.
During the Jan. 20 council meeting, Ryan MacFarland, the township’s new fire chief, said the current tanker has a transmission problem that prevents it from exceeding 90 kilometres per hour on the highway. He also reported a leaking discharge line that could eventually dump 2,000 gallons of water onto the fire station floor if not repaired.
MacFarland recommended McMurrich/Montieth eventually purchase a pumper-tanker. This model would allow smaller crews to respond more effectively because it has built-in pumping capabilities and pre-connected hoses.
“We’re the only fire department out of the four that doesn’t have a tanker that has an on-board pump built in,” he said.
He estimated a new pumper-tanker could cost more than $500,000. A standard tanker like the one the department currently uses would cost between $200,000 and $300,000. Council heard that used options might be available for roughly $300,000.
According to the discussion, the township currently has no money in the budget for a replacement. Deputy Mayor Vicky Roeder-Martin noted the reserve account for a previous pumper purchase was empty. While the chief suggested a five-to-10 year window for saving, the truck’s condition might force an earlier purchase.
For now, the department is waiting for a quote to repair the leaking discharge line. The chief said a temporary fix using a pump from a front line truck is possible, but it would leave that primary vehicle without a portable pump.
Council took the report as information and said it would look into creating a capital reserve for the equipment in the future.