Harbour Grace and Trepassey to Welcome New Firefighting Vehicles

The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services, has announced the communities of Harbour Grace and Trepassey will receive new firefighting vehicles this spring.

“Our government continues to build on the good working relationships we have established with communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister O’Brien. “As Minister, I am pleased to partner with municipalities and fire department volunteers, who are instrumental in keeping our residents as safe as possible. The Provincial Government continues our strong commitment to the fire service with today’s announcement of new vehicles for Harbour Grace and Trepassey.”

Harbour Grace has requested a new pumper truck with rescue capacity, while Trepassey is looking to bring a pumper truck into service.

“This announcement is a great achievement for the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Department,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services and MHA for Carbonear- Harbour Grace. “Fire department volunteers in this region have a storied history of providing numerous emergency response services to area residents. Their friends and neighbours continuously support their efforts. The Provincial Government is pleased to join with them to ensure a safer community by providing the financial support needed to purchase this new vehicle.”

Public tenders for the new vehicles will be let this summer, with delivery expected to begin in 2012. Harbour Grace will avail of the 80/20 cost-share arrangement with the Provincial Government to purchase the vehicle. Trepassey will take advantage of a 90/10 cost-share arrangement based on the community’s population.

“The volunteer firefighters in Trepassey do a tremendous job in helping residents prevent fires and in protecting residents during emergency situations,” said Ferryland MHA Keith Hutchings. “This investment builds on the firefighting inventory of the Southern Avalon, as a new pumper truck was delivered last year for the Town of Ferryland, upgrading firefighting services for that community. This new pumper truck for Trepassey will ensure volunteers have access to the tools they need to keep themselves and their neighbours safe.”

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador provides a historic investment in the municipal fire service. An investment of $3.9 million has been allocated for new firefighting vehicles, as well as a continued $1 million allocation to fund equipment needs to assist communities. With the addition of a new Provincial Volunteer Firefighter Tax Credit to acknowledge the commitment of the men and women in the volunteer fire service, the Provincial Government has allocated more than $6 million towards the municipal fire service this year.

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2011 07 08             12:20 p.m.