OLDS — A local company has donated a pickup truck to the Olds Fire Department.
The department announced in recent weeks that Plains Midstream Canada, which has an office in Olds, has donated a 2018 GMC 2500 pickup truck to the department.
“This donation boosts the department's ability to respond to wildfires across Alberta,” a Town of Olds news release says.
“As wildfires become more frequent and severe, municipal fire departments face the challenge of protecting their own communities while providing aid to neighbouring regions. Firefighting equipment plays a critical role in determining what level of support we can offer,” Olds Fire Department Chief Justin Andrew said in a prepared statement.
The release says the truck has been equipped with a tank, pump and emergency lights from a retired unit, “making it ready for use with minimal cost.”
The plan is to use the truck as an off-road and wildland response vehicle in areas where quick access is needed.
“Importantly, this new resource won’t take away from protection needed in Olds, allowing it to be used in regions with fewer firefighting resources,” the release says.
The Olds Fire Department is part of Alberta’s Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and in that role, has a helped combat major fires in places like Fort McMurray, High Level/Rainbow Lake, Waterton Park, Drayton Valley, and most recently, Jasper.
The news release says Plains Midstream Canada has been a “strong, long-standing partner of the Olds Fire Department, supporting emergency response through funding for training and equipment.”
Many OFD members also work at Plains Midstream’s Olds office. The company allows them to take immediate leave to from their duties to serve as responders when necessary.
“The Town of Olds Fire Department expresses our deep gratitude for Plains Midstream Canada’s on-going support," Mayor Judy Dahl is quoted as saying in the news release.
“We are blessed for this generous donation, and look forward to continuing our partnership, working together to champion the safety and resilience of our community and beyond.”
