LAC LA BICHE - On Sept. 14, Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue Service donated a 32-year-old Ford water tender to Heart Lake First Nation #469.
John Kokotilo, the regional chief for Lac La Biche County, said that the fire service tries to rotate units every 20-25 years, adding that for older models, finding part - not to mention getting repairs done - can be challenging.
Approved by Lac La Biche County council, the local fire service was able to make the recent donation, and others in recent years, to mutual aid partners, which include First Nations communities and Métis settlements in Lac La Biche County.
“This helps in two ways. First, it helps their community. And then, if we ever call upon them to provide mutual aid assistance in a large fire or an event, we know that we have an extra piece of apparatus that can respond,” Kokotilo explained. “So, it’s a win-win situation all the way around.”
In recent years, the Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue Service has partnered with neighbouring departments such as Goodfish Lake, Beaver Lake Cree Nation, and Kikino Métis Settlement during emergencies, most notably wildfires that have struck the region.
Kokotilo said to date, the Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue Service has fulfilled its commitments by donating units to each of the three First Nations communities and two Métis settlements in the region.
Despite the donation of decades-old equipment - the recent truck is a 1991 model - Kokotilo says all the equipment is dependable and will help neighbouring communities for years to come.
“They all have working fire trucks that are dependable,” he said, adding that municipal mechanics check over the units thoroughly before they leave for their new destinations.
At present, Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue Service has its own fleet of six water-carrying tenders (with one used as a spare), six water pump units (also including a spare), two rescue trucks, a ladder truck, and three SSV-rapid response units.