NIPAWIN — Nipawin council has awarded International Truck Body Ltd. the tender for the fire department’s newest rescue truck for $339,195 plus GST, replacing the town’s 2004 model.
The truck is an ITB Medium Duty Fire Rescue Body on a 2023 Freightliner M2-106 Crew Cab Chassis. The unit warranty includes one year for full body and all components, a five year structural and corrosion warranty, a ten year aluminum subframe warranty and a five year paint warranty.
Barry Elliott, Nipawin’s administrator, said that while the current truck functions well, it is overloaded.
“The equipment for use by firefighters have changed through the years since the original unit was purchased,” Elliott said.
“What we’re finding now is with the changes to some of this equipment and the accessibility to new specialized rescue equipment that in fact our current rescue truck is somewhat overloaded, which means it becomes a little bit unsafe in terms of operations.”
Customizations to the order include removing the electric lock feature, as well as adding a 12-volt accessory box for $200 and upgrading of tires to match those used with other fire department apparatuses for $1,175.
“The upgrading of tires to match those used by our other apparatus just means our tires can be more versatile or more universal if needed.”
In 2019, a total of $30,000 was allocated by the town for a new fire truck, after they received $100,000 from the HumboldtStrong Community Foundation. The other $70,000 was allocated to go towards the heliport pad.
A rescue truck, while not having water pumping capabilities like the pumper, serves to transport special equipment including the Jaws of Life, tools, generators and more. The truck is used in the vast majority of calls the Nipawin Fire Department responds to.
The new truck is expected to arrive by the end of August, 2022. On-site training will be provided upon delivery.
Elliott said the 2004 model will be disposed of according to the town’s purchasing policy, either through a public auction or selling to another municipality.
