Brock Township plans for fire department fleet future amid challenges

By Darryll Knight from The Standard Newspaper, as a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

The Brock Township is preparing for updates to its fire department vehicles amid financial limitations and rising expenses.The Council greenlit proposals put forth by Fire Chief Rick Harrison following his presentation, on November 4 outlining the obstacles and a fresh strategy to tackle them.

Chief Harrisons report highlights the challenges faced by rural fire departments due to the increasing costs and extended manufacturing times of fire trucks.They have seen a rise in fire truck prices by around 40 percent in recent years with no signs of stopping.A process that once took 12 to 18 months for a fire truck to be built can now be stretched to three to four years due to shortages, in producers,demand spikes and supply chain complications.

The Fire Underwriters Survey and the National Fire Protection Association suggest that fire departments should replace their fire trucks every 15 to 20 years according to established guidelines; although some cities may push this timeline to 25 years considering budget constraints.

The article continues below.

According to their plan approval in Brock Township; they will keep replacing pumper trucks every two decades but stretch out replacement cycles for rescue and tanker trucks to 25 years long as they meet reliability and maintenance criteria.The township presently has a fleet of 10 fire trucks spread across three stations with their next scheduled replacement being a pumper truck at Cannington Station, in 2025.

The financial impact of these upgrades is substantial.The estimated cost for acquiring a fire truck by 2025 falls between $600K to $. The upcoming heavy rescue vehicles are projected to range from $800K to $ In order to secure resources, for these purchases the council is looking into selling older vehicles and utilizing proceeds to bolster capital reserves.Harrison suggested procuring a fire truck from Dependable Emergency Vehicles since it aligns with budget constraints and can be obtained promptly within a month.

Taking the fleet down from 10 to nine trucks as part of the plan could also support Brocks sustainability objectives according to Chief Harrisons observations on the matter of retiring diesel trucks for newer models that emit fewer emissions due to technological advancements."There is a need to reassess the fire departments approach to replacing fire trucks " he emphasized while underlining the importance of preparedness and financial responsibility, in facing future obstacles.