TBL firefighters shopping for a new ladder truck
ABCN Staff
ccording to a report in local French-language newspaper, Le Guide, the Town of Brome Lake is hoping to acquire a new truck for its Fire Department to replace a 20 year old pumper and potentially add a ladder truck to its current services, at a cost of nearly one million dollars.
Although the current pumper truck, which has a capacity of 2,500 gallons and can carry up to five firefighters, is still functional, the risk management plan imposed by the Quebec Ministry of Public Security requires the municipality to add to its existing equipment.
According to the report, the town council is looking at the option of acquiring a truck with a 78-foot ladder module because of the fact that current ladder needs have to be served by the Sutton, Cowansville, or Farnham fire departments. Adding the ladder comes with an additional $200,000 to $250,000 price tag, however.
On March 5th, the Town adopted a bylaw allowing it to borrow $850,000 for the purchase of an emergency vehicle. The cost of purchasing the new truck is estimated at approximately $900,000.
By acquiring the new truck, the Tblfire department is left with a surplus pumper, which could be relocated or sold. This second option would reduce the total bill by about $100,000.
The Town of Lac-brome published a call for tenders on June 12 and bidders have until August 22 at 11:00 am to submit a bid. Once a bid is successful, the truck will be built according to the quote submitted and probably will not be available for a year."
According to the tender documents, the builder will have to deliver the truck no later than 425 days after the contract is awarded. The contract also provides for the contractor to provide eight hours of training so firefighters can become familiar with the new vehicle’s operation
The 78-foot pumper will also be equipped with a set of portable ladders, suction hoses, and a harness kit for two firefighters.