SHERBROOKE — The Sherbrooke and Area Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) has made a request for $250,000 from the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s to help with the purchase of a new pumper truck.
Department representatives Dana O’Connell, safety officer, and Laura Banks, treasurer, made a presentation to council’s committee of the whole (COW) meeting Sept. 18, where they outlined the need to replace the department’s 37-year-old Ford truck.
“Our hopes must be realistic – the municipality has eight fire departments, each of which has their own requirements,” O’Connell told The Journal in an email interview. “I am certain each one of the other seven departments need new equipment, including fire trucks. This is a common theme amongst rural volunteer fire departments – outdated fire equipment and little resources to buy new.”
Considering the challenges, O’Connell hopes the municipality will review the service capability of its volunteer fire departments. If one is completed, he suggested, the findings can be taken to provincial officials for consideration, which could lead to increased funding through grants. O’Connell added he will discuss the SVFD’s situation with Guysborough-Tracadie MLA Greg Morrow in the next week.
“Without such equipment, we may not be adequately capable of servicing the community,” O’Connell said, noting there are approximately 500 residential buildings, 50 businesses and/or essential services and 40 buildings at Sherbrooke Village in their catchment area.
He added that, if the SVFD is reduced to one pumper truck, they will have to rely on mutual aid from neighbouring departments.
“When this happens, departments outside the area will respond to our emergency. Unfortunately, this could mean an additional 45 to 60 minutes of response time for necessary assistance to an emergency in our area,” O’Connell said.
Noting the close proximity of buildings in Sherbrooke, O’Connell explained that two pumper trucks are needed to effectively fight structure fires, to both deal with the primary fire and to prevent its spread.
As for the current pumper truck’s condition, he said valves and other key parts are difficult to source, adding the aging chassis is also a concern.
“Keep in mind that the pumper truck holds 1,000 gallons at all times – 24/7 – [and] this additional 10,000 pounds adds a great deal of stress on the truck’s frame/chassis,” O’Connell explained, reiterating the increasing repair costs and insurance companies annually requiring extensive inspections.
The National Fire Protection Association has set the maximum service age at 15 years for firefighting vehicles, but there is a policy in place to extend it to 25. Every SVFD vehicle is more than 20 years old.
Earlier this year, although the most expensive option, department members voted to replace their #1 pumper truck. They also determined the #2 pumper truck will need to be replaced in the next 10 years.
While most new fire trucks cost upwards of $1 million, the SVFD committee found one for $725,000 from New Brunswick-based METALFAB, which requires a 10 per cent down payment. The balance must be paid when it is delivered.
The SVFD, which has committed $100,000 from its capital fund, plans to source grants, solicit donations and host fundraisers to raise an additional $50,000 over the next six months, according to O’Connell.
“We are a part of the Nova Scotia Firefighters 50-50 [draw]. We are also sending letters to all businesses in the community in hopes of raising $25,000,” he said, noting car wash and golf tournament fundraisers are planned.
O’Connell explained that the fire levy may need to be raised by $30, which would generate $18,000 per year. He also noted that the SVFD would request that the municipality guarantee any loan, with the department making the payments.
The SVFD hopes to raise $400,000 over the next six months, and then order the new pumper truck. It would arrive within 12 months after the order is made.
After the SVFD’s presentation, Warden Greg Wier indicated council will consider the funding application, but no decision could be made at that time. He noted that departments across the municipality are in need of new vehicles and equipment.
Along with trying to finance this vehicle purchase, the SVFD – like other departments – are also facing membership challenges.
“New and younger recruits are needed in order to take over,” O’Connell said, noting that most of their 35 members are more than 50 years old, and only a few are under the age of 30.
He added, “We are continuously trying to recruit new members.”
“What is involved in being a member of the SVFD is like all volunteer fire department’s – a commitment to serve your community,” O’Connell said, “whatever it is that you are capable of doing – comforting an accident victim, directing traffic, providing leadership in training, taking part in first aid training, handling hoses operating/driving fire truck’s, becoming a medical first responder or putting on a breathing apparatus and entering a burning building, whatever you are capable of doing we could use your help.”
Members of the SVFD meet on the last Tuesday of each month at the fire hall at 7:30 p.m. On alternate Tuesdays, at the same time, training and safety meetings take place. More information is available on the SVFD website.
