By Connie Tabbert
Editor
COBDEN — Whitewater Region’s fire chief and deputy-fire chief are each getting new-to-them vehicles.
During the June 25 council meeting, public works manager Bill Misener advised council that $25,000 had been budgeted for a replacement vehicle for deputy-chief Mike Moore. Following discussions with Chief Wayne Heubner and deputy-chief Moore, it was suggested that he look for different alternatives.
“After investigating different options, I have found two suitable vehicles to meet the needs of the fire department,” Mr. Misener reported to council.
He found a 2008 Dodge Nitro SUV-type vehicle at a cost of $13,800 and a 2005 Ford Explorer SUV at a cost of $5,800. Both vehicles are in Canada and equipped with lights and sirens, painted and decaled for fire department use, he noted.
The 2008 SUV had been used by Ontario Power Generation at one of their nuclear plants, Mr. Misener said. It has very little mileage on it.
If agreeable to this purchase, Chief Heubner’s vehicle would be used as a utility (rescue) vehicle at fire scenes to carry extra equipment while deputy-chief Moore’s van is at the end of its useful life, he said.
The two chiefs feel these vehicles would be more suitable to what is required now, he said. Both vehicles have four-wheel drive. The 2008 has 58,000 miles and the 2005 has 166,000 kilometres on it.
In the last two years, four fire trucks have been taken out of service in the township and will be replaced with the two chiefs trucks. Downsized two rescue trucks in the township, the chief’s truck could be used to haul around extra gear, he said.
With new legislation coming out regarding vehicle safety, it will cost too much to safety the current vehicles, he said.
“The only reason this is being added at the last minute (to the council agenda), is because they are used vehicles and time is of the essence,” he said. They are being held right now until I get an answer from tonight’s council meeting whether we want to purchase them or not.”
Both vehicles would be delivered for $350, he noted.
Mayor Jim Labow noted with the revised purchasing policy, council can give approval for expenditures up to $20,000 without having to go to tender.
“This revised purchasing policy gives us the latitude to look at used vehicles,” chief administrative officer Christine FitzSimons pointed out.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin questioned why the chief’s vehicle would be put back into rescue, when rescue vehicles were just retired?
Mr. Misener said it will help carry extra equipment.
As for where it will be stored, that has yet to be decided, but either Beachburg or Westmeath fire halls, Chief Heubner said. He added that his truck will be used for forest fighting equipment, since the Ministry of Natural Resources cancelled the firefighting division in the Pembroke area.
Council approved the expenditure.
