The Foresters Falls fire truck will remain as a second line firefighting unit until at least the Sept. 16 Whitewater Region council meeting.
Last month, the truck failed pump tests so was allowed to be put back into service, but only as a second line unit. Since then, the truck has undergone more pump tests, some with council present.
At last night’s protection services committee meeting, Mayor Hal Johnson said, “In light of information we have received, we should put the Foresters Falls pump truck back into front line service.”
He also suggested that no fire truck be purchased this year and that council revert back to its current schedule for replacement.
Committee chair Councillor Cathy Regier was present when the pump passed and she questioned if it could be put back into front line service.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin said the truck may have passed the pump test, but it’s too old to be put back into service.
Chief Wayne Heubner agreed, noting “most insurance companies” do not recommend a fire truck be used for front line service if it’s 25 years or older.
That didn’t sit well with Reeve Terry Millar.
“I don’t care what most insurance companies say,” he stated. “I care what our insurance company says and our fire department should know what their answer is.”
He wanted this discussion tabled until the township’s insurance company had opportunity to answer questions regarding this truck.
However, treasurer Marsha Hawthorne noted she contacted the insurance company and in a response back, the company said it didn’t matter if the truck was front or second line.
Chief Heubner said he was not aware of the insurance company’s stance.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin suggested, and it was agreed, that a report regarding the truck be sent to the township’s insurance company and it can decide if it can be used as a front line truck.
Mayor Johnson noted Captain Troy Waite and firefighter Ben Snyder are both firefighters who use the Foresters Falls truck and were at the meeting. He questioned if they could both be involved in the discussion and the answer from committee was yes.
Mr. Snyder said the truck may be 25 years old, but it was rebuilt in 2000, which means it’s only 15 years old.
Public works manager Bill Misener noted the truck may have passed the pump test, but it failed a vacuum test. While he seemed concerned with that issue, Capt. Waite and Mayor Johnson were not concerned.
“It’s my understanding, that a failed vaccuum test does not fail the pump test,” Mayor Johnson said.
Mr. Misener said he would not put the truck back into front line service. However, if council wanted it to be used as a front line firefighting unit, then they could tell him to do that.
“Myself, I can’t put it back,” he said. “It’s against what I can do.
“But, if council wishes it to go in as a front line truck, it goes back,” he said.
Coun. Regier questioned what is the risk.
“Are you confident if a volunteer firefighter enters a burning building, he will be safe,” she questioned.
Chief Heubner said he likes the idea of a new truck, since this one is 25 years old.
“We bought this truck in good faith,” he said. “This truck has lived out its useful life.
“If you say put it in, the liability is on you,” the chief stated.
Councillor Chris Olmstead questioned how long before the vaccuum on the truck could be repaired.
“I have no idea,” Mr. Misener said. “I have no mechanic.”
It was noted township mechanic Mike Fortier submitted a letter of resignation noting Sept. 11 is his final day. However, he is on vacation until Sept. 10 and returns for only the one day.
Chief Heubner said even if the firefighters felt comfortable using the truck as a front line truck, he didn’t, and he wouldn’t feel comfortable asking them to use that truck as a front line vehicle.
“I wouldn’t use it, how can I ask my staff to use it,” he stated.
Both firefighters said they would use the truck as a front line vehicle.
Mr. Snyder, who is also an emergency vehicle technician, has made the statement many times that the truck can be used as a front line vehicle.
“I am comfortable using it,” he said when questioned.
It was agreed that in order for a new motion to be passed, it had to be at a council meetig, which won’t occur until Sept. 16. So, the insurance company will be contacted regarding the truck, and until an answer is received back from them, it remain as a second line firefight truck.
Capt. Waite then asked that all the defects he has pointed out in the last four months, which are not covered in the firefighters weekly truck inspection, be corrected prior to the truck going back into front line service.
He said years ago, firefighters used to do some of the minor repairs, such as replacing hoses or light bulbs. However, the township’s mechanic filed a grievance back then against the firefighters doing any work, he said.
He also brought the defects to the chief’s attention, and he would now like those defects corrected as soon as possible.
Before discussion could take place, Councillor Charlene Jackson said that is an issue that will be discussed in a closed session, because council now needs a plan to deal with the mechanic being gone.
