Today, the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services � Newfoundland and Labrador, approved a project valued at $250,000 for the purchase of a new fire pumper truck for the Town of Gambo.

"The Provincial Government is pleased to support the purchase of a brand new, state of the art fire truck for the Town of Gambo," said Minister Denine. "This project will significantly enhance the firefighting capability of the municipality and will provide greater protection to the residents."

The Provincial Government will contribute $215,044 to the project under a 90/10 cost-sharing ratio. The Town of Gambo will contribute $23,894, and utilize their GST rebate of $11,062, for a total project cost of $250,000.

"The people and town council of Gambo offer their deepest appreciation to Minister Dave Denine and the Provincial Government for the generous support in purchasing a new fire truck for our community," said Mayor Lloyd Noseworthy. "We further extend our appreciation for the recent responses to emergencies related to flooding within our town. The new fire truck will bolster our ability to respond even more efficiently in the future."

"I am very pleased with this latest announcement," said the Honourable Paul Oram, MHA for the District of Terra Nova. "With the acquisition of this new fire truck, the local residents and business owners will have access to an improved, more efficient delivery of fire protection."

The project is funded through the 2008-09 Municipal Capital Works Program. Budget 2008 earmarked $1.7 million toward firefighting equipment purchases throughout the province.

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Media contact:
Bradley Power
Public Relations Specialist, FES-NL
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-3703, 697-5216
BradleyPower@gov.nl.ca