INNISFAIL - The Innisfail Fire Department is now equipped with one of Canada's best top-of-the-line firefighting machines.
On Oct. 8 the fire department formally received its brand new $670,000 Rosenbauer fire engine/rescue unit, a dual purpose fire truck that replaces two retiring vehicles - one engine unit and another rescue vehicle. The new Rosenbauer unit was formally rolled out to the public on Oct. 10 during the department's annual open house for Fire Prevention Week.
"It is a nice looking truck," said fire Chief Gary Leith, noting there is only two of this model in all of Canada. "This is the first of its kind in Alberta.
"This new truck replaces two," he said, adding two older firefighting trucks were sold with the monies offsetting the cost of the new vehicle. The retired engine truck was sold for $70,000 while the old rescue unit went for $57,000.
The new engine/rescue unit made its first emergency response call on Oct. 10 to help a farmer who sustained serious injuries when his quad rolled west of town on the Cottonwood Road. STARS air ambulance was also called and the injured man was airlifted to Calgary's Foothills Medical Centre.
"He had some head injuries but hopefully he will be OK," said Leith.
Following the new firefighting vehicle's first call, it was back to the fire hall to get ready for the many citizens coming to the open house. It is an event for the public to not only meet their firefighting heroes but to check out all of their equipment. And this year the star attraction was the glittering new red Rosenbauer firefighting machine.
"In my books you can't give (firefighters) enough good equipment to work with when we have got the commitment that they show for us," said Mayor Jim Romane during the open house. "For the safety of our people, it is money well spent."
Leith noted the new unit has LED lighting, which lights up an emergency response scene far more effectively for firefighters, allowing them to work more safely. He added the Rosenbauer fire truck not only carries the latest and best fire extinguishing equipment but also state-of-the-art hydraulic rescue tools, including Jaws of Life, and those for water and ice rescue, which were previously carried on a separate truck.
"It has internal communications which allows people to talk when they roll onto scene, so it allows an officer to give them instructions prior to getting off where previously we weren't able to do that," added Leith of the new unit's other top-of-the-line features. "The firefighting hose is taken from the front of the truck rather than from the roof. It is all low level, so firefighters are not at risk from a fall. It is a much safer truck for us."
In the meantime, Leith said the emphasis for this year's Fire Prevention Week (FPW) was to get the crucial safety messages out to the public on fire escape planning, and most importantly, to practise that plan. He said firefighters also reminded citizens to check carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors, and if there was any problem with either, new ones would be provided immediately.
Just as importantly for firefighters was that the open house was a great opportunity to share what they do with the public they serve at their modern fire hall.
"This is a public fire station after all. We want this to be a welcoming place where citizens feel it is OK to come in," said Leith. "The same for protective services. Our peace officers work out of here. People should feel comfortable to come to this building and receive a good friendly welcome and get to know their own firefighters because they are citizens of this town as well."
