Municipal Affairs
August 15, 2013
A new type of firefighting capability is being introduced in the province with the announcement of $100,000 to purchase the first rural response unit for the Town of Grand le Pierre. This new fire truck specification was recently adopted as a way to support fire departments in smaller, rural communities. The Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, made the announcement today in the community.
“Our government is pleased to announce $100,000 to assist with the purchase of a new firefighting vehicle for the community of Grand Le Pierre, known as a rural response unit,” said Minister O’Brien. “This firefighting vehicle is new to the province, and is a self-contained truck and pumping apparatus, which has foam capability and a 300 gallon water tank. They are very versatile and compact, and are a great way to address the fire and emergency services needs in smaller communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. I am pleased to announce today that the first such unit will be purchased for the Town of Grand Le Pierre.”
The new firefighting unit will be delivered in the fall of 2014 and will be cost-shared between the Provincial Government and the municipality through a 90/10 cost-share ratio. The rural response unit was first demonstrated at the Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador Training School in Grand Falls-Windsor, earlier in the year, and firefighters from across the province were impressed by its compact and extremely effective construction.
“I am grateful to the Provincial Government for investing in a new firefighting vehicle in the Town of Grand Le Pierre,” said Calvin Peach, MHA for Bellevue. “I am confident the fire department will make great use of this new unit, and they are very proud to be the first fire department to have the opportunity to utilize this newly developed truck specification. Fire protection is a very important service to residents and the investment announced today will go a long way in ensuring the continued protection of this community.”
Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future contained $1.5 million for the purchase of new fire trucks and emergency response vehicles and $380,000 for new fire equipment throughout the province.
Media contacts:
| Bradley Power Public Relations Specialist Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-0857 bradleypower@gov.nl.ca |
Tess Burke Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-3551, 699-2402 tessburke@gov.nl.ca |
2013 08 15 11:10 a.m.