By Don Urquhart, Times-Chronicle
Osoyoos Town Council has approved three motions enabling the purchase of a new 7,272 litre water tender for Osoyoos Fire Rescue at a price of $397,000.
This involved a request to repurpose $16,000 from the Department’s Capital Equipment Fund for paving the training grounds to the purchase and approval for the borrowing of up to $381,000 to be repaid within five years, with no rights of renewal.
And finally, authorization to enter into a contract for the purchase of the water tender with Rocky Mountain Phoenix for a maximum purchase price of $397,000 including all applicable taxes.
In a presentation to council, Fire Chief Corey Kortmeyer explained that the Request of Proposal (RP) process led to a cost overrun of $16,000. This he said was a result of fluctuations in USD-CDN exchange rates and global supply chain issues.
The purchase of the water tender is to facilitate the development and accreditation of a Superior Tanker Shuttle Service to rural areas.
It will also provide supplemental water within the community for fire protection should the need arise, the chief said. The tender has an expected lifespan of 25 years.
Allan Chabot, Osoyoos Chief Administrative Officer added that the timely replacement, renewal and additions to fire rescue equipment are necessary in order to both protect persons and property and preserve insurance ratings.
“The acquisition of an additional water tender will enhance firefighting capabilities in Town and contract service areas and if, over time, the Department achieves Superior Shuttle Tanker Accreditation could result in reduced insurance premiums for properties not serviced by a water system meeting fire suppression requirements,” Chabot said.
Councillor CJ Rhodes asked if the tender serves any other purpose aside from carrying water. It does have other purposes, Kortmeyer said. “It can be used to carry our personnel but more it’s being able to do wildland fire fighting and structural fire fighting and in the absence of municipal water supply it would enable us to be able to move around certain hiccups that come with water supply.”
When asked about the delivery time, Kortmeyer said the estimated delivery was 39 weeks (nearly 10 months) and also highlighted that “if we lose this chassis it will be 104 -154 weeks (two to three years) delivery time for the next chassis.”
This is a reflection of global supply chain issues and automotive microchip shortages.
