The addition of two new vehicles to the Dalmeny Fire and Rescue (DFR) fleet in the past few months has strengthened fire protection services in the region.
In April, the DFR’s new brush truck proved its worth when it was used to battle two wildland fires on the same day it was put in service. The brush truck was designed and built in Dalmeny by Fire Chief Rick Elder and other members of the department at a cost of $140,000.
And on July 21, the DFR took delivery of a $430,000 water tender-pumper truck manufactured by Seahawk Service and Acres Emergency Vehicles of Manitoba. Ten days later, the truck was used when Dalmeny firefighters provided mutual aid to Warman Fire Rescue during a grass fire near Warman.
“We can amass a fair amount of quality iron in a short period of time,” said Elder in an interview July 21 at the Dalmeny fire hall. “There are several new trucks now in service in Warman, Martensville, Osler and Dalmeny; which makes a big difference to the region as a whole.”
Elder said the new DFR brush truck cab and chassis was purchased in December, 2018, and it took a little over a year to get it ready for service.
“It’s all locally-built,” said Elder. “We’re happy with it. We had it ready by April 25, and coincidentally, that was the day there was a grass fire west of town.
“We got that one put out and were just packing up when we were dispatched to help Martensville with a really big fire between Dalmeny and Martensville.
“So we had two fires back to back that day. I was a little nervous because I wasn’t sure how the truck would perform, but it came through with flying colours.”
The DFR’s old brush truck was sold to the Radisson Fire Department.
The DFR’s new water tender-pumper truck marks a big step up from the department’s old unit, a 1980s-vintage converted fuel truck.
“The old tender will likely be used for training purposes,” said Elder.
The new water tender-pumper was designed by DFR members. The specifications were completed in 2018 and the tender was awarded last year.
“We modelled it closely on Martensville’s vehicle,” said Elder.
In addition to hauling water, the truck can also act as a pumper.
“The big pump is the same size as the one on the other pumper truck, which allows us to relay if we have a big hydrant space,” said Elder. “We can put a pump at the hydrant and push the water down to the other pumper.”
Financing for the new vehicles came from the Town of Dalmeny, the RM of Corman Park, and fundraising efforts by DFR members.