Langford Fire Rescue is set to get a shiny new fire truck after council approved the purchase during their Monday (Dec. 5) council meeting.
The new truck is set to cost $1.15 million USD (around $1.57 million Canadian), much less than the estimated $2.5 million USD it would cost to custom build a truck to meet the department’s needs. The custom truck would also take more than three years to assemble, according to a staff report.
The fire department was able to work down the cost from an initial estimate of $1.9 million by trading in its current truck, which was bought in 1998 and is set to exceed its 25-year lifespan next year, as recommended in the Fleet Replacement Plan and Fire Underwriter’s Survey.
It’ll have a 107-foot ladder, with an eye on meeting the community’s needs for the next 25 years as development sees taller buildings being built in Langford.
The vehicle was built as a 2018 model and sent to Asia as a demonstration vehicle, but never used on active duty, according to Langford Fire Chief Chris Aubrey. The engine was upgraded to North American standards after it had done its stint in Asia, meaning the warranty was reset as a 2022 vehicle.
Langford is also renewing its fleet with the department awaiting delivery on a replacement for the soon-to-be-retired 2007 Pierce Contender Engine, which has already been approved, set to arrive by mid-2023.
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