Osoyoos Firehall (File photo)
By Vanessa Broadbent
Osoyoos Times
The Osoyoos Fire Department won’t be getting a new truck this year.
Fire chief Dave McMahon presented council with an amendment to the department’s operational budget on Sept. 16 that will reallocate funds for leasing a new truck to training and equipment.
The budget originally included $40,000 for the lease of a Quint Fire Truck to be purchased this year. McMahon instead proposed that the funds be split to include $5,000 for training wages and $35,000 for fire equipment, maintenance and replacement.
The $5,000 for training wages will include enrolling firefighters with training program Viera to work towards compliance with the Office of the Fire Commissioner Playbook. Members will also complete emergency scene management training, rapid intervention team training, rescue trauma and casualty care training, and air brake endorsements.
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Funding for equipment will go towards new structure gloves, structure boots, station boots, balaclava flash hoods, coveralls and helmets.
Funds for a firetruck could be included in a budget in future years, McMahon said, but more research needs to be completed before a purchase is made.
“We need to do more for investigation into what’s the correct piece of equipment for this town,” he said.
Before purchase, McMahon plans to recruit more members as well as qualify them to be able to use the new truck.
Council voted to approve the budget amendment.
