Smith Sound and Trinity Bay North Fire Departments
Receive New Firefighting Vehicles

Residents of Harcourt-Gin Cove-Monroe-Waterville and Trinity Bay North were on hand Saturday to celebrate more than $400,000 in new firefighting vehicles announced for their communities. The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services, was joined by the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Environment and Conservation and MHA for Trinity North, along with representatives of the local service district committee, and members of the Smith Sound Fire Department to mark the arrival of a new tanker in Harcourt.

“The new vehicles presented this weekend will be of great benefit to these communities and their associated fire departments as we all aim to keep residents as safe and protected as possible,” said Minister O’Brien. “Our government is pleased to see the many positive results of our continued partnerships with the municipalities and local service districts throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The new tanker truck, valued at approximately $232,000, is a two-door tanker with a 300 horsepower diesel engine and automatic transmission. The vehicle has a 1,500 gallon capacity tank and a class A foam system.

“It has been a pleasure to see the support this community consistently demonstrates for its volunteer fire department, and it was especially evident this weekend,” noted Minister Wiseman. “These volunteer firefighters share the Provincial Government’s commitment to public safety. I am pleased to share in this announcement, as I know the addition of this new tanker truck marks a tremendous step forward in the tools needed to protect residents.”

Minister O’Brien also presented the Town of Trinity Bay North with the keys to a new rescue truck, valued at approximately $198,000. He was joined by the Honourable Roger Fitzgerald, MHA for Bonavista South, Mayor Brendan Peters and members of the volunteer fire department.

The Trinity Bay North vehicle is known as a walk-through rescue, featuring side and rear entrances into the body of the vehicle. The truck is designed to serve as a command post for emergency incidents and is capable of transporting seven fully-equipped firefighters to an emergency scene. The rescue has an automatic transmission, a 300 horsepower diesel engine, and additional space to store and carry additional firefighting and rescue equipment.

“The purchase of this new rescue vehicle has been a priority for the Town of Trinity Bay North and the fire department for a number of years,” said MHA Fitzgerald. “With the recent annexation of Little Catalina and its fire department into Trinity Bay North, this vehicle will enable the community and its dedicated volunteers to respond to all emergencies throughout the region. I thank the Department of Municipal Affairs and the Provincial Government for providing the needed tools and for supporting our local firefighters”

Both vehicles are cost-shared between the Provincial Government and the respective communities under the 90/10 ratio established under the Municipal Capital Works program.

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador provides a historic investment in the municipal fire service. While continuing a $1 million commitment to fund equipment needs, an unprecedented $3.9 million has been allocated for new firefighting vehicles throughout the province in the coming year.

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Photo #1: The Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services and the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Environment and Conservation and MHA for Trinity North and the children of Harcourt-Gin Cove-Monroe-Waterville are pleased with their new firefighting vehicle. '

Photo #2: The Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services and the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Environment and Conservation and MHA for Trinity North and the community of Harcourt-Gin Cove-Monroe-Waterville came out to celebrate the arrival of their new firefighting vehicle.

Photo #3: The Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services and the Honourable Roger Fitzgerald, MHA for Bonavista South and the members of the Trinity Bay North Fire Department are all smiles with the delivery of their new fire rescue vehicle.

Photo #4: The Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services, tours the new fire rescue vehicle in Trinity Bay North with Assistant Chief Dan Duffett.

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2011 06 13                                                                      9:55 a.m.