Reliability

Council to decide on over $1 million in fire equipment

Fire Chief Scott Manlow was back at Committee of the Whole last week looking for approval to buy a new tanker truck for the Wellington Fire Department. The total cost of the pumper is $352,491 plus HST. The current unit would be shuffled to a different County fire department, and the oldest pumper truck in use by the fire department would be declared surplus and sold for an estimated $10,000.

In 2012 when capital transfers were instituted, staff had to look at its capital vehicle and equipment needs and complete an assest management plan. This was meant to let council know what its upcoming purchases would be and allow staff to figure out where it would be funded from. According to Director of Finance Amanda Carter, this plan has been successful. “We are planning for what we buy today. How we are going to maintain it and replace it in the future without it being burdensome to the taxpayer. Thus far, it has worked very well,” said Carter.

The fire department’s asset management plan is laid out over 25 years, which allows the department to review and evaluate its future needs of its fleet and make sure an effective and efficient replacement plan is in place. The truck had also already been budgeted for replacement this year.

Manlow added that although the current trucks might look new, it is what can’t be seen that indicates a replacement. “Fire apparatuses are not in continuous use all the time. It is subjected to considerable mechanical stress due to the nature of the function. Quick acceleration, quick braking and aggressive pumping. The stress does not show itself physically on the outside of the trucks because we take pride in making sure they are looked after,” said Manlow.

Councillor Mike Harper asked if the purchase of the truck could be deferred for another year. “Is there flexibility? If we didn’t get the truck does that inhibit our ability to fight fires?” asked Harper.

“No,” said Manlow. “But it adds risk. You can’t expect a 20-year-old truck to perform the same as a one-yearold truck. The longer you run it, the higher the risk you have.”

Manlow explained that if council were to wait a year, the truck price would likely increase by 3.5 to 4 per cent, and they would be making multiple purchases as there are other trucks coming up that need to be replaced.

Councillor and County volunteer firefighter Phil Prinzen told Manlow that just because the money is budgeted doesn’t mean it needs to be spent. “I know with my wallet, if I have a $20 in it, it doesn’t mean I am going to spend it. I do know that the ladder truck responds now as quick as dispatch is done. I have been there. I do know that by the time we drop what we are doing, the ladder truck is not far behind, and it is a very good truck to do the job we are doing,” said Prinzen.

Manlow agreed that the ladder truck is a great truck, but explained it is not versatile. “It only responds to structure fires. It does not respond to vehicle fires. It does not respond to grass fires, and fires happen no matter what. The time it takes the truck to come from Picton to Wellington is eight to ten minutes. We all know a fire doubles its size twice in five minutes,” said Manlow.

Councillor Janice Maynard reminded council that fire protection is a core municipal responsibility. “At the end of the day, either you pay me now, or you are going to pay me more later. It is not like that truck will not be purchased. We have a plan. Let’s stick to it,” said Maynard.

Councillor Ernie Margetson asked Manlow if the current truck is inspected regularly to ensure proper operation. Manlow explained that they do test the truck and the pump regularly, and the current truck is fit for operation.

The motion passed 7-5.

Council also supported the purchase of 62 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and 176 cylinders. The total cost of the units is $655,156 plus HST. The fire department has a current inventory of 75 SCBA units and 300 breathing air cylinders. Five of the existing SCBA units are nonrepairable and out of service. The SCBA units were purchased in 2006 and are near the end of their useful life.

“In combination with their bunker gear, the air pack is our lifeline,” said County firefighter Tim Kraemer. “It provides the essential air necessary for us to enter extremely hostile environments filled with toxins and soot. This allows us to reach citizens who need to be rescued, and it also protects us while we extinguish fires.”

“We manage our risk by ensuring the members of our department have the reliable tools to safely perform their duties. We manage our risks by ensuring we respond to an emergency with reliable equipment for our ratepayers,” said Manlow. “This is a proactive, not a reactive plan.”

The fire department is planning about $3 million in new capital (buildings, equipment and vehicles) over the next five years.

Both the pumper truck, and the breathing apparatuses will come before council for approval at its May 14 meeting.